NBA Rumors: David West Signing a Risk Boston Celtics Must Take

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is not afraid to make risky moves to improve his team. Signing free agent forward David West is one risk he must take to help Boston contend for an NBA championship now and in the immediate future.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports tweeted on Friday that the Celtics and New Orleans Hornets were working on a sign-and-trade that includes a three-year deal for West.

NBA.com first reported that the Celtics were closing in on a deal to sign West, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered last season when he was with the New Orleans Hornets.

The report mentions that teams have not been quick to send him big offers, which is surprising to me. West is a top 10 NBA power forward when healthy.

This is a no-brainer move for the Celtics. In signing West, the Celtics would likely be getting rid of the often-injured Jermaine O'Neal, and acquiring someone who wants to play for a contender, even if that means taking less money.

He's capable of putting up near 20 points and eight rebounds per game as a starter, which he probably will not be in Boston, but at least you see the level of talent he has when healthy.

West would add tremendous depth to the Celtics front court that had a lot of question marks coming into training camp Friday.

With Ainge re-signing Jeff Green, trading Glen Davis to the Orlando Magic for Brandon Bass, and possibly signing West, Boston will still be able to compete with the top teams in the East come playoff time.

With the news that the New York Knicks had signed free agent center Tyson Chandler on Friday, Ainge had to act. He could not stand pat and let the Knicks get much stronger and not improve his own team. 

One of the reasons the Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs last season was because they got dominated on the boards. With West and Bass, the Celtics would be stronger in the paint. 

The Celtics also did not have enough scoring off the bench last season. Green could not provide instant offense in the second unit, and that weakness also cost the Celtics against the Heat.

West is a quality offensive player who can score with his back to the basket or with the mid-range jumper. He's also not a guy who has to start to be effective.

With Celtics head coach Doc Rivers always looking for ways to keep the "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce healthy and rested for the playoffs, there would be little trouble finding minutes for West. If West signs, he would get plenty of minutes and play a key role.

Signing West is certainly a risk for the Celtics; acquiring anyone coming off a torn ACL is going to come with some risk and uncertainty. 

However, this is a move that Boston must make to assure they will be contenders this season and next year. Right now, only Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Pierce are under contract for the 2012-13 season.

Ainge knows he has to make improvements for the Celtics to remain a top team in the East, and trading for Bass and signing West would be a solid start.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report

Follow @NicholasGoss35