Let The Boston Celtics Trade Rumors Begin

The 2010 NBA Draft is just outside the 24 hour mark, meaning that there are going to be more trade rumors shot around than a Rasheed Wallace three ball. With the multiple uncertainties of the Boston Celtics, let's re-cap just to refresh the memory.

1) Ray Allen is eligible for free agency unless we offer him a contract. We can probably only offer him the mid-level exception, meaning he can probably find a non-contender to offer him much more.

2) Paul Pierce can opt out of the final year of his contract worth $21 M. I doubt he does, but the ability is there.

3) Rasheed Wallace mentioned the possibility of retirement before game 7 of the NBA Finals.

4) Doc Rivers has also been on the edge, without giving much information to the public, about his own retirement. Based on his statements relating to him, leaning one way more than the other and the, "what it would take to stay's", I'm sure we all know which way he's leaning.

So here are a few rumors that have been floating around just in the past few hours:

1) Chris Forsberg and Andy Katz of ESPN Boston reported that Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge has already considered trading the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Although there was no follow up information on what offers, if any the Celtics received for the pick, I don't feel that we need to trade the pick for a player. We really don't need to make a pick at 19 either if we have our entire nucleus return next season. Imagine trading that pick to a non-contender for a 2011 first round pick. I know, very New England Patriot like of me. We bring back an Eastern Conference Championship team with one big run left in them and then give ourselves the possibility of a top 5 pick in 2011 plus our own first round pick to begin rebuilding, think about it.

2) All hell would break loose in Boston if Rob Kelley were right about the possibility of a trade with New Orleans. The Celtics would trade Paul Pierce and their 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft for Hornets point guard, Chris Paul. Not only would I be mortified if this were to happen with the Celtics already locked up at the point with Rondo and Nate Robinson, but I think the Tobin would be barreled off for a week after all the jumpers take their stand.

3) The Celtics had Texas forward, Damion James come in for a workout according to RedsArmy. James seems like another perfect fit for a Boston team that likes to have multi-purpose players that can adjust and adapt on the court for the teams needs. If he's so versatile though, does he drop to 52 if we trade our first pick in the draft, or would he even be available at 19 for that matter? I can't wait for the Draft tomorrow, we'll have to enjoy the trade talks and see if anything happens before 7 PM on Thursday.

Thanks to Keith Allison for the photo of Paul Pierce.