According to sources close to the situation, Ainge has aimed high and taken a shot at trying to acquire a guy like Rasheed Wallace, Marcus Camby and even Amare Stoudamire (who appears to now be off the market).
However, the efforts have come up short thus far — largely because the Celtics don’t exactly have a ton to offer.
It isn’t difficult to identify the two primary needs for the Celtics. They could desperately use a veteran big man — a la P.J. Brown — and also a backup point guard who is capable of handling defensive pressure.
The problem is there just aren’t a ton of quality big men out there for the taking. In fact, it’s a joke how pitiful some of the backup centers in the NBA are these days — and it’s not going to improve much in the next year or two with the lack of quality size coming out of the college ranks.
Is Josh Boone an upgrade over Big Baby or Powe? Other than the added length, it’s probably a wash — before you add in the fact that Boone doesn’t have the same familiarity that Davis and Powe have with Doc Rivers’ system.
How about Charlotte’s duo of Nazr Mohammed or Ryan Hollins? Yuck.
Or a bunch of young, unproven guys like Robin Lopez (Phoenix), JaVale McGee (Washington), Spencer Hawes (Sacramento) and Aaron Gray (Chicago)?
No thanks.
In order to get a guy like Wallace or Camby, the Celtics could have to find a way to match the salaries — and that’s nearly impossible because of the more-than-$60 million tied up between Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
Wallace is making about $13.6 million in Detroit this season, while Camby’s salary is a more manageable $8 million this season before dropping down to $7.6 million next season.
But realistically, are the Los Angeles Clippers going to take a package of Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen and Patrick O’Bryant for Camby?
No chance.
As far as a backup to starting point guard Rajon Rondo is concerned, the ideal option is Marbury — whether you like him or not — but there’s been little movement on that front since neither Marbury nor his current employer, the New York Knicks, seem ready to budge and take a financial hit.
For now, the Celtics can only play the waiting game and hope there continue to be no takers for Marbury and that the Knicks eventually come to an agreement on a buyout.
http://www.weei.com/Deal-----or-no-deal ... th/3868953
In related news... Marbury could be finally bought out but not until after the deadline.
After Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline, the Knicks hope to reach a settlement with Marbury, who would likely join the Celtics after Boston traded Sam Cassell yesterday to open a roster spot.
Marbury's expiring contract of $21 million is too huge for something plausible to happen. However, Walsh still wants make a deal that upgrades the talent. The better chance is shopping the more modest expiring contract of Malik Rose's.
Asked about trading Marbury, Walsh said, "So far I haven't seen something that would benefit us. Actually I haven't had a lot of calls on it."
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02182009/sp ... 155753.htm
