If Marquis Daniels had not suffered a freakish, scary injury last week, the Boston Celtics very likely would have ridden out the trade deadline and watched every other team try to match what they already have. Right now, Boston is the rabbit every team is trying to catch (even San Antonio, Boston scares teams more come the playoffs).
But with Daniels out at least a month that leaves Paul Pierce and then basically the Celtics Dancers at the three, Celtics GM Danny Ainge confirmed to ESPN Boston they are looking at trades now.
Boston doesn’t have to make a deal, they are in a position of strength. But if a nice, affordable back-up three becomes available....
A deal would not be easy to make. Obviously nobody in the core of this team can be touched. Nobody sane is going to take Jermaine O’Neal, who has another year at $6.2 million after this one (unless you can sweeten the deal). They might have to consider moves if someone would take a Von Wafer or Semih Erden, or maybe even Delonte West. None of those guys is going to bring back a lot, but if they can get a decent backup three that can give them 12 minutes a night, Ainge has to consider it.
He has now said he will.
