NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Can Boston Celtics Win Without Ray Allen?

The Big Three appear to be in their last season together, with the contracts of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen expiring this season.

But can Boston be successful without Ray-Ray? His three-point shooting has helped carry the load throughout his tenure with the Celtics, helping power the team to two NBA Finals runs, including the team's championship in 2008.

If the team is going to let Allen walk after this season, Boston would need to acquire another lethal three-point threat in return. He’s the only starter for the Celtics that is a reliable shooter from beyond the arc and plays a critical role in Doc Rivers’ game plan.

With the Garnett and Allen mega-deals finished, the team could make a play on Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon in free agency. Gordon is a deep ball threat and explosive scorer who, alongside point guard Rajon Rondo, could serve as one of the new cornerstones of the Celtics franchise.

But if Allen, who turns 37 in July, were to come back to the team at the right price, Boston could opt to stick with Allen as their starting two-guard.

Still, Boston GM Danny Ainge seems more set on building towards the future. With the 2012 free-agent pool as deep as it is, it's unlikely that aging stars Allen and Garnett will be brought back next season.

So therein lies the paradox. We’ve already listed Gordon as a suitable replacement for Allen, but who else is available?

Well, Gordon is the most viable option for the long-term success of the franchise if they want another star to build around, but Ainge could consider offering a deal to restricted free agent O.J. Mayo this offseason. Mayo is a solid young talent that appears to be limited in his role with the Grizzles, and he could find that leaving Memphis is ideal for his interests.

Both Mayo and Gordon are volatile scoring threats that could potentially replace Allen. Paired alongside the right company, Boston could instantly find themselves amongst the Eastern Conference’s elite teams again.

In fact, one could argue that the team can’t win with Allen on its roster going forward. Allen’s numbers are progressively declining, as his 14.6 points per game this season are his lowest since his rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1996-97.

As the league's all-time leading three-point man, Allen is a future Hall of Famer for sure, but his days in Boston might be numbered. It will be quite interesting to see what Ainge and the Celtics elect to do in July.