Damon Stoudamire: Would Mighty Mouse Really Save the Celtics?

But what message does it send to a young, impressionable player with ever-increasing confidence when the team opts to hand the car keys over to a guy that hasn't played more than 62 games since 2005 and has averages of around 7 points and 5 assists over his last 91 games?

Since Stoudamire isn't the long-term answer and the Celtics don't have much wiggle room to sign a free agent this off-season, they run the risk of ruining everything they've done with Rondo up to this point to make him the long-term answer.

I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. The arrival of Stoudamire could also light a fire under Rondo and motivate him to prove that he can be that guy. If I were a betting man (if anyone asks please tell them I'm not), I'd put my money on the addition of Stoudamire causing more harm than good for Rondo.

Besides, what has Stoudamire really done since Rasheed Wallace was still a Blazer? Did you know he hasn't participated in a playoff game since 2003?

The addition of Stoudamire would also take the Celtics out of the running for Sam Cassell. Even though the Clippers have yet to state publicly that they plan to unload Cassell, the Celtics would surely kick themselves if he became available once they had already added Stoudamire.

The Clippers would prefer to trade Cassell than give him his outright release so they could get something in exchange for his expiring contract. They probably don't want to add another salary so they'd be looking for another expiring contract and a draft pick in return. They may also look for someone willing to take on Tim Thomas' contract and the two-years and $13 million remaining on it.

If that's the case, chances are the Clippers won't find a willing trade partner for Cassell, and they'll end up releasing him if that's what he wishes. Cassell has already stated that he would like to join George Karl's coaching staff in Denver when he retires and one day be a head coach.

That would immediately make the Nuggets the favorites for Cassell. But if the Jazz and Blazers pass the Nuggets and they drop to seventh or eighth in the Western Conference, then a phone call from KG might convince Cassell that Boston would at least guarantee him a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics couldn't conceivably add both Stoudamire and Cassell. They do have two open roster spots on the team, but I'm sure Stoudamire would want some type of promise when it comes to minutes before he signs on for the rest of the season. 

We will know a lot more about where Stoudamire ends up in the next 48 hours.

This we know—if Stoudamire joins the Celtics, they'd be taking a risk. If he doesn't, they might be taking less of one.

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