It’s been heavily reported that the breakup of the Celtics is imminent. Â There were heightened rumors of a broken relationship and definite trade of Rajon Rondo in the works. Â Since then those rumors have been put to rest and the original rumor of The Big Three being broken up have resurfaced. Â On the block is Ray Allen. Â Read more after the jump.
Yet for all the talk of Boston point guard Rajon Rondo possibly being traded, some league executives have shooting guard and free-agent-to-be Ray Allen pegged as the most likely to be moved. Sources say the Clippers are interested, having lost Chauncey Billups to season-ending injury and lost out to New York in the J.R. Smith sweepstakes.
But the price is likely too high, as Boston wants a package that includes a young talent and a draft pick. The Clippers don’t have the latter component, though, and there’s a bit of irony involved as to why.
Their 2012 first-round pick went to Oklahoma City in a deal for point guard Eric Bledsoe, and was then moved to Boston in the trade that sent center Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder. The Clippers also had Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-rounder, but gave it to New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade.
Even with his age (36), Allen would be a difference maker for any team looking to add offensive firepower. The NBA’s all-time 3-point champion is shooting a career-high 48.6 percent from beyond the arc (third in the league) while averaging 14.8 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting overall.
The Celtics (18-17) are still in playoff position, and they have some incentive to not fall too far this season no matter what moves are made since the aforementioned pick from the Clippers is top-10-protected until 2016. Boston also has its own 2012 first-round pick as well.
