NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Celtics Mulling Major Move, Knicks Want Steve Nash

Danny Ainge is adding fuel to the fire regarding the trade speculation surrounding the Boston Celtics, and Steve Nash didn't exactly pour cold water on the idea of playing for the New York Knicks in the future.

The injuries have become routine with the shortened season. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports does an excellent job of explaining how the unconventional season has impacted some of the biggest names around the league.

There have been some serious surprises in the league this year, and this campaign is unlike any we have endured recently.

It was another wild Wednesday in the NBA.

Raymond Felton

Felton has been traded twice since he initially signed with the New York Knicks, but after a rocky tenure in Denver he seems to have found a place that he's ready to call home.

The veteran point guard admitted that he would love to sign a long-term deal to remain with the Trail Blazers, and he also acknowledged the two parties have discussed the idea.

He's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and it's certainly no slam dunk that he'll be back with the team considering Gerald Wallace plans to opt out and the team would like to re-sign Nicolas Batum.

Roy Hibbert

Hibbert has enjoyed a breakout season for the Pacers this year, but he's not worried about securing a long-term extension before the summer.

He has every intention of re-signing with the team and said Indiana is where his home is, and it would be a surprise if the two sides don't agree to a new deal.

A restricted free agent, the Pacers would have the opportunity to match any offer he received from another club, so it's next to impossible to envision a scenario where he doesn't return.

Vince Carter

Carter heard a "pop" when he initially injured his foot against the Lakers, and the veteran isn't likely to return to the court at any point soon.

There is currently no timetable for Carter's return, and he has been using both crutches and a walking boot since he had to be carried off the court with the help of his teammates.

Dallas will exercise extreme caution with Carter's injury, as there is no reason to rush him back and risk a long-term absence at this stage of the season.

Nicolas Batum

Batum has been playing much better recently than he had been showing previously, and he's just too talented of a player to stay quiet for very long.

There is no question that he is very motivated to play well for his next contract (he's a RFA after the season), but he got a major scare on Wednesday night when he sustained an eye injury.

Fortunately for both Batum and the Trail Blazers, X-rays were negative and the swingman thinks he'll be able to return in just a few days.

Danny Granger

The Pacers have been exceeding expectations this season, but Granger has really struggled to find the bottom of the net on a consistent basis.

He's shooting a career-low 33.7 percent from the floor, but pain in his sprained ankle (initially suffered in early January) may be limiting his ability to contribute in the box score.

Specifically, Granger is having problems with his mobility and is taking preventative measures consistently just to suit up and play, so the Pacers have to be hoping that the injury improves with each passing day.

Andrea Bargnani

Bargnani has been sidelined with a calf strain for about a week, but he is very close to coming back for a Raptors team that desperately needs his offensive production.

Targeting a return on either Friday or Sunday, Bargnani will be the focal point of the offense upon his re-insertion into the starting lineup.

DeMar DeRozan has struggled to produce since Bargnani has been out. It's not a surprise opposing defenses are clamping down on him with No. 7 in street clothes.

Rajon Rondo

A serious injury to Rondo would put the Celtics season in major jeopardy, and there was real cause for concern in Boston when the point guard hit the deck on Wednesday night.

He landed with all of his weight directly on his wrist, and it looked like he really hurt himself when he first got to his feet.

However, this is Rondo we're talking about—the same player who played with one arm after dislocating his elbow last season.

Despite how bad the injury appeared when it occurred, X-rays were negative and Rondo called himself "day-to-day" following the victory.

Without Rondo, the Celtics would really struggle to facilitate the offense.

Steve Nash

Let the Steve Nash to the Knicks speculation be unleashed in full force.

After the Suns handed New York another loss on Wednesday night, Nash not only defended Mike D'Antoni, but strongly alluded to the idea that he'd be very open to playing for the Knicks in the future.

The club is interested in bringing him in using its mid-level exception in the offseason, and it is important to remember that money may not be a motivating factor considering Nash is chasing a title.

Nash is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen

Danny Ainge would consider trades for members of the Big Three in Boston.

However, let's pump the brakes on that idea. There a few reasons why it's wise not to read too deeply between the lines in what he had to say.

Ainge admitted that any deal would have to return youthful players in order to usher in the next era of success in Boston, and not many teams will be anxious to give up legitimate, controllable young talent much for aging veterans.

Both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have expiring contracts, and it's next to impossible to see a team giving up major assets just to acquire financial flexibility.

Additionally, Paul Pierce is owed more than $30 million over the next two seasons. Beyond that, Pierce is the captain of the Celtics, and he is truly the heart and soul of the team.

There aren't many teams that have pressing needs for the guys outlined above, and the return Ainge and the Celtics would receive wouldn't be anywhere near equal value.

Trying to work a deal for any player involved that would realistically benefit both sides isn't something that is easily done.