NBA Trade Rumors: Will Boston Celtics Deal Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen?

Did you know that the Boston Celtics are getting old? Seems like a ridiculous question because it’s obvious, but we’re getting closer to facing the reality of the “Big Three” being completely over the hill.

With Jeff Green missing the entire season and the Celtics failing to pick up David West or Chris Paul, will the Celtics trade Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett before they become free agents in 2012?

Yes, I’m afraid it’s time.

A good thing always has an ending.

They may still have one more run in them, but it’s time to blow the process up. I understand that this decision isn’t an easy one to make, but it must be done to salvage the upcoming future.

Danny Ainge has failed to give the Celtics the best possible roster to surround the Big Three this season. The 2011-12 season was clearly the last stand for the Big Three yet they don’t have the correct supporting cast.

Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass aren't good enough. Dooling averaged seven points per game and Bass scored 11 points per game last season. 

They couldn’t land West who would have given the Celtics a future replacement for Garnett to go along with a suitable replacement that could give Garnett plenty of rest for all the back-to-back games NBA teams will see this season. They failed to land Paul because the Hornets didn’t want to give up Paul for Rondo straight up plus Paul didn’t want to stay long term.  

This team will be lucky to finish in the top four of the Eastern Conference this season with the emergence of the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks. Even the Indiana Pacers may have a chance to compete with the Celtics for the fifth position behind the Orlando Magic or Knicks. 

When Boston won the NBA Championship in 2008 they had the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Having the No. 1 seed is crucial for the Celtics, but they probably won’t have it this year with this roster.

Allen is 36 years old and Garnett is 35 years old. Garnett hasn't scored more than 15 points per game in the past two seasons. Allen hasn't scored more than 16 points in the past two seasons. 

Their contracts run out after the end of the season so they could walk away for nothing. I would like to think that they would re-sign with the Celtics but you can’t be sure.

They can still produce, but I don't see it being enough to win a championship. 

Ainge has to ask himself if the Celtics have a legitimate chance to compete with this roster. Unless he plans on signing other free agents who could immediately make an impact on this year’s team, then he should trade Allen and Garnett.

They have to grab future first-round picks and young talent. Otherwise, they could be in trouble for longer than what the Celtics organization should be.

The end of an era is coming eventually. Why risk being too late on a decision when you can grab possible future pieces to narrow the gap of future success?

It’s a tough decision to make but the end is coming sooner rather than later.