NBA Rumors: 4 Moves Boston Celtics Need to Make

There have been reports for the past week that Celtics Executive Officer, Danny Ainge has said that he was willing to break up the "Big Three." Since then, there has been a lot of speculation as to what pieces Aigne would be willing to trade or move.

The Big Three are all getting pretty old, as seen by Ray Allen's latest injury. They are all experiencing near career lows in scoring this year and their defensive intensity has been off and on.

There are not going to be any quick fixes to this season, but here are four options that would take the Celtics further than they would go with the team the Doc Rivers puts on the court night in and night out.

Paul Pierce to the Hawks

It is known that the Hawks have been shopping Josh Smith. The intriguing thing is that Smith has expressed interest in the Celtics as a destination.

Trading Josh Smith and a lesser player for Paul Pierce would add some veteran leadership to the Hawks, who have an average age of 29 years and would bring an athletic freak in Smith, to the Celtics. This would reunite Smith with his high school teammate Rajon Rondo.

Paul Pierce's struggles have been widely documented this year, shooting his lowest points per 36 minutes of his career (19.4). Adding Josh Smith's 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, along with his age, could give the Celtics a burst of energy.

Chris Kamen

The only way that Chris Kamen will become a Celtic is if the Hornets get part of the Big Three.

However, this is possible because Danny Angie says that he is willing to break up the Big Three.

Bringing Kamen to Boston would pay immediate dividends. For instance, the Celtics rank 29th overall in rebounding, 8.6 offensive rebounds and 30 defensive rebounds per game.

Also, Kamen is a physical presence that the Celtics have been without since trading Kendrick Perkins.

His stats don't jump off the page, but I am sure the front office knows this. He is the best option available since the Celtics are not on Dwight Howard's trade list, and they need a center.

J.R. Smith

If Smith can get out of his contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and return to the NBA, then he will become a restricted free agent.

Just recently, J.R. Smith dropped 60 points coming off the bench in China. He still can score with the best of them.

The Celtics could do with an offensive injection. There have been times this year when Boston hasn't produced. They have only scored over 100 points five times.

He has had some problems with his attitude in the past, but between Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers keeping him in line and the calming presence of Ray Allen, Smith could quite possibly mesh with the team.

Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson

Kevin Garnett has been the vocal leader for the Celtics since his trade from the Timberwolves. If you need proof, just see his bar fight interview.

Garnett can still throw down and get nasty in the paint, but his age is catching up to him. The Celtics know it and they are hoping that there are some teams on the west coast that haven't quite realized that.

One option is to seek a trade for Al Jefferson. He has quietly had a good year. He has averaged 19 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game.

This would work if the Celtics include some cash in the deal.