Boston Celtics Rumors: Recapping the Latest News and Speculation

It's been a rough go in Boston for the Celtics this season.

At 20-18, the Celtics haven't met preseason expectations. Therefore, with only one week remaining until the March 15 trade deadline, moves could be coming in Beantown.

After last night's embarrassing 103-71 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, those moves could be coming sooner rather than later.

Yet, while many expect some big deals to come out of Boston in the next week, it could just as easily be a very quiet deadline as well.

Here's a quick look at the latest buzz surrounding the Boston Celtics.

Rajon Rondo

Despite claims by Danny Ainge that he's not aggressively shopping his point guard, Rondo can be had for the right price.

However, that price is very steep, so I wouldn't look forward to any deal even coming close to getting done.

One league executive told Sporting News:

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“There’s no way they’re going to get talent-for-talent in a Rondo deal,” one general manager told Sporting News. “There’s a perception that if Doc Rivers, who’s such a player’s coach, has had a hard time with him, my coach is going to have a worse time with him.”

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Add that perception to the fact that the return for Rondo would have to be huge, and you can understand why that type of offer isn't likely to come in.

Ray Allen

Out of the Big Three, Allen could be the one that's dealt. However, that's not very likely.

There is a chance, though, considering the Los Angeles Clippers are hot after him.

The Clippers needs a 2-guard after losing Chauncey Billups for the season and missing out on J.R. Smith. However, the Celtics are going to want a young player—likely guard Eric Bledsoe—who the Clippers are unlikely to part with in addition to a first-round pick.

The problem for the Clippers is that Boston already owns their first-rounder. Therefore, barring a third team getting involved, Allen is also unlikely to be dealt.

Paul Pierce

According to Steve Bulpret of the Boston Herald, there hasn't been much interest around the NBA in any of Boston's Big Three.

The Celtics are open to taking calls on Pierce, but his contract—which pays him $15.33 million this season and over $32 million more through 2014—is going to be very tough to move.

The New York Daily News reports that Ainge is taking calls on all of the Big Three and that Pierce is one of those that could be had for young players and draft picks.

Very few teams would be in a position to both offer up that type of package and afford to take on a large salary.

It would be shocking if Pierce is dealt at the deadline.

Kevin Garnett

Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News is reporting that Ainge has thrown Garnett's name Atlanta's way.

Ainge would love to get his hands on Hawks forward Josh Smith, as well as other young players.

However, that's not going to happen.

It's going to take much more than Garnett's expiring contract to get a guy like Smith. Unless Ainge can get the guy he targets, Garnett and Allen are more valuable letting their contracts expire and giving the Celtics valuable cap space over the next couple of seasons.

ESPN's Chad Ford also chimed in about the lack of trade value among any of the Big Three.

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If he can make the moves now to shore up the future of the franchise, he will. The problem is that while Rondo, Allen, KG and Pierce are all excellent players, none of them have great trade value right now. Rondo has the most, but many teams are worried about chemistry issues with him. Allen and KG are well past their primes and are free agents next season. Pierce is better but he's due $16.8 million next year. I'm not sure how Danny pulls this off.

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Brandon Bass

Bass has had a productive season in his first go-around in Boston. As a result, the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn says the club is hoping Bass exercises his $4 million player option or agrees on an extension.

Another option could be dealing Bass to create even more cap space next season, says Luke Adams with Hoops Rumors.

If they don't trade Allen or Garnett and bring in additional salary, that frees up over $31 million in cap space for the offseason.

Dealing Bass may not be a popular move, but it would free up even more money.

Remember that Ainge took over a bad Boston team and built the current group. He could be trying to free up as much money as possible for the next couple of offseasons.