Boston Celtics-Portland Trail Blazers: Should They Talk Trade?

Now that the Celtics have signed their guy, Rasheed Wallace, all eyes will turn on the status of Glen "Big Baby" Davis. 

There is no doubt that Davis has an NBA game and has the heart to step up under the glare of the bright lights. It is his height and ability to shed and keep the weight off of his 6'8'' frame that is the issue.

By all accounts Davis has an excellent basketball IQ. The Celtics traded for him two years ago, courtesy of the brain doctor who gave Ainge his stamp of approval on draft day.

Big Baby has always been a fan of Kevin Garnett, so when KG talked he listened. He learned his lessons so well that he proclaimed himself the "Ticket Stub." 

Well fans, this "Ticket Stub" is looking for a huge pay day in his first free agent run. The only problem is that there is another free agent whose status has to be resolved before he can gauge his value. 

David Lee is a restricted free agent for the New York Knicks and Portland has more than a passing interest in him. They have the players to consider a sign-and-trade with the Knicks.

Problem is that the Knicks can counter any offer and they have not tipped their hand as to their intentions. Joe Dumars had interest but he was concerned that he would lose out on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. 

Portland is still stinging from the Hedo Turkoglu defection. 

Turkoglu had verbally committed and had a change of heart at the last minute.

Lee is high on everyones wish list because he is a walking double-double: An energy guy who doesn't demand the ball. Lee knows his role.

I doubt D'Antoni wants to lose a guy who has proven that he is the Knicks interior presence and not Eddie Curry. Let's suppose that the Knicks do manage to resign Lee, what will Davis be left with?

Glen has publicly stated that if he goes to a contender he doesn't mind coming off the bench, if it is a team that is not in contention he would like to be a starter. 

In other words, he won't leave the Celtics unless a second-tier team wants to over pay him.

The Celtics could have a "bench mob" of:

Wallace—Center

Big Baby/free agent—Power Forward

Grant Hill/Tony Allen (if the rumors are true)—SF

Giddens/Walker—SG

Hudson/Pruitt/House—G

This gives them a solid bench that won't make many unforced errors with any combination of these players.

Blazer free agents are: Steve Blake, Channing Frye, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Ike Diogu. Out of that group only Steve Blake is an un-restricted free agent. 

Darius Miles contract has muddied the waters since he played more than 10 games last season. His contract goes back on their books. 

The Celtics could have an interest in Channing Frye, Martell Webster or Travis Outlaw.

Channing would give them another 6'10'' player who can hit the outside shot and can extend his range to the three-point line.

Outlaw gives them an athletic wing who at 6'8'' would be a great pickup to spell Pierce.   Boston is courting Grant Hill, but getting Outlaw would give them more youth and athleticism.  Webster could also give them versatility at the two or three.

The Celtics have Gabe Pruitt, JR. Giddens and Bill Walker at the end of the bench.  Boston can dump their salaries without losing much. They were fringe players at best last year.

If the Celtics second round pick Lester Hudson makes the opening day roster then one of them will go. By all accounts Lester is the real deal. 

The Blazers could get "Big Baby" as a consolation prize to the David Lee sweepstakes. If they do, the Celtics could get compensation by getting either Frye, Webster or Outlaw and possibly a 2010 first round pick. 

Remember the Blazers do not want to get younger, they have enough youth. Davis could provide championship experience and added toughness.

Where Davis ends up is anyone's guess, but the Celtics should not let him walk without getting compensation for developing him.