Boston Celtics Rumors: C's Must Acquire Boston 3 Party Replacements Now

The Celtics organization wanted more than one ring from this core group, but that is very unlikely. Now, Ray Allen is 36, Kevin Garnett is 35 and Paul Pierce is 34.

The Celtics have to build around Rajon Rondo. Allen and Garnett are free agents after this season, the Celtics must resist the temptation to bring them back for another run.

While they may still be competitive, they won't win a championship and players behind them won't develop with them there. Danny Ainge must recognize, the team is going to change and allow it to evolve around Rondo.

What the Celtics need to remain competitive with Rondo as the driver is different than what would be required with Allen, Garnett and Pierce.

As long as Doc Rivers is the head coach, the team's identity will be predicated on defense. Rookie draft pick JaJuan Johnson was a nice pick up, and possibly the future starter at center or power forward.

He is a long, athletic shot blocker with a nice shooting touch. The Celtics need to go after scoring now, and though this may be unpopular amongst Celtics fans, trading one or more of the Boston Three Party this season.

Both Allen and Garnett could have great value as veteran contributors down the stretch and an expiring contract.

I could see a team like Chicago, or Los Angeles interested in Ray Allen, Garnett could have an even larger group of suitors; low post defenders are hard to come by, let alone those of Garnett's quality.

If the Celtics are smart, they will start to dismantle this core, no later than this summer, if they don't want to return to the futility of the late 1990s.