Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Why Michael Beasley Is Danny Ainge's Only Option

Everybody hates Rajon.

The Boston Celtics' floor general was once in the discussion as the NBA's best point guard. Now, though, no one is screaming, "Rondoooo!"

Danny Ainge's only option to actually improve the Celtics is Michael Beasley.

The Boston Herald's Mark Murphy reported that, according to a source, Rondo is now an undesirable:

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'There are irreconcilable differences between him and the team, and it's been that way for a couple of years. His value around the league has taken a hit. He's not exactly the Chamber of Commerce's man of the year. They've been kidding themselves for years. Doc can put an arm around him and give him a kiss and try to make it all better, but that just ain't happening. He was cut from the national team (prior to the 2010 FIBA World Championship). I know the reason they gave was that he had to leave for personal reasons, but that's baloney. He was cut. He's a moody guy who has trouble fitting in.'

 

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Now that the Celtics' return for Rondo—their only legitimate trading asset—looks minimal, and the fact that Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are nearly fossilized, Beasley becomes Boston's only option. And, according to the New York Post's Peter Vecsey, Boston is indeed linked to the troubled forward.

The catch is, unlike all of the other players the Celtics are connected to in rumors,—Pau Gasol, Stephen Curry—they wouldn't be forced to surrender Rondo or break up the Big Three to acquire Beasley. In fact, a first-round pick would most likely suffice. With their aging roster, Boston is in win-now mode, and Beasley is talented enough to aid them in winning right now.

The former second overall pick is a gifted scorer who averaged 19.2 points per game last season when he was finally put in a position to succeed. He could fill the void left by Jeff Green, for whom the Celtics traded away their defensive anchor, Kendrick Perkins, last season.

Setting themselves up to win in the future isn't an option with the Celtics' lack of trade options. Knowing that, Boston must go all-in to win now.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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