TRADE DEADLINE NEARS - CELTICS OPTIONS - 2/18

What's out there for the C's?
As the trade deadline nears, Boston is weighing its options

By Peter May
ESPNBoston.com

There is less than a week to go before the trade deadline. The Celtics, once thought to be bystanders, now are at least thinking of tweaking their roster due to the recent, serious injury to Marquis Daniels.

The area of concentration is Daniels' position: small forward or big guard. Not only would it help to have someone who can step into that role to spell Daniels -- there's no assurance he will be back after bruising his spinal cord -- but also to spell Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, both of whom have played in all 54 games this season.

Nate Robinson is getting $4.2 million this season and is down to receive $4.5 million next season.
Any trade must be made by the deadline, of course. But there is some wiggle room after the deadline in the form of signing a player who has had his contract bought out, which the Celtics did with Sam Cassell in 2008 and Stephon Marbury in 2009. That generally is done by the end of February.

Going the trade route means the Celtics must part with someone, and, looking at their roster, there are only two viable candidates: Daniels and Nate Robinson. Both Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis have expiring contracts, but they clearly are part of the team's future. No one is going to take on Jermaine O'Neal (called "a basketball wastrel" by one NBA executive) and everyone else is either safe or has little to no trade value.

Robinson is getting $4.2 million this season and is down to receive $4.5 million next season. Teams are not exactly flooding the Celtics' phone lines or filling up Danny Ainge's inbox with demands for Robinson. The Knicks had trouble giving him away last year at this time -- and at that point, he had an expiring contract.

But the fact that he has only one year left makes him somewhat attractive as long as the player for whom he is traded has at least a year left as well. And in the trade scenarios below, the team that took Robinson would save money down the road, always a bonus. The obvious drawback is that without Robinson, the Celtics would be relying on the fragile Delonte West to return to health and back up Rajon Rondo.

Marquis Daniels signed a one-year, $2.338 million deal last year and has the right to veto any trade.
Daniels is another matter. He signed a one-year, $2.338 million deal last year and, as such, he has the right to veto any trade. If he allows a trade to go through, he will lose his so-called "Bird rights" as a free agent this summer.

That might be an issue were it not for Daniels' current situation. He may not even play again this season. Yes, he would lose his Bird rights in free agency, but he is going to be a veteran's minimum guy -- at best -- in the eyes of most NBA teams. No one is going to break the bank for him. And, with a new collective bargaining agreement, there may be severe restrictions on Bird rights. So he doesn't gain a whole lot by not agreeing to be dealt. (The Celtics can make sure he gets a playoff share as well.)

Finally, if the Celtics add someone via the buyout route, they would have to cut someone to make room on the roster, as they already have the maximum number of bodies (15.)

With that in mind, here are some names you might hear in the coming week linked to a deal with the Celtics. The players are alphabetized, because, as it now stands, there doesn't appear to be anything close. But things do change as the deadline approaches.

Childress

Josh Childress, Phoenix: The Suns signed him to a five-year, $33.5 million deal last year and already are regretting the move. He has appeared in two games, logging 29 minutes, since Jan. 12. He is quite available. From a purely basketball standpoint, to trade Robinson and Daniels for Childress is a no-brainer for the Celtics. Childress is a pretty good perimeter defender. He's only 27. He does have some offensive skills. The Suns would probably do this in a heartbeat. For the Celtics, the big issue here is the four years beyond this one, which could be the deal-breaker. They already face re-signing Perkins and Davis. But the team is going to need to rebuild after the lockout and, under current rules, the Celtics do need 12 to 15 players on the roster. But the feeling may be that Childress isn't worth anything close to what he's due to receive and that there is too much money owed down the road. Another possibility would be to offer Jermaine O'Neal, even-up, for Childress. The Suns still save money here as well; he'd be on their payroll for one more year. The Celtics lose a big man, but how much can they expect from JO this year?

Hamilton

Richard Hamilton, Detroit: If Hamilton goes anywhere, it probably won't be for a while, but his name is out there because he basically has been euthanized by the Pistons. He has appeared in one game since Jan. 12. Hamilton earns $12.5 million this season, the same in 2011-12 and has a $9 million buyout in 2012-13. No one with that kind of contract gets bought out now. Additionally, there is going to be an ownership change in Detroit, so everything can be viewed to be on hold. Plus, why would the Pistons cut Hamilton a $20 million check when he still has some value around the league? Sure, he would be an ideal backup in Boston. And, remember, Joe Dumars owes Ainge. Seven years ago, when Dumars was desperately trying to get Rasheed Wallace from Atlanta, he needed a third team to make it work. Ainge stepped in and made it happen, getting a No. 1 pick out of the deal along with some flotsam and jetsam (Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter). Dumars has always said that if that deal had not gotten done, the Pistons would not have won a title.

Murphy

Troy Murphy, New Jersey: Here is one of many reasons why the NBA is having fiscal issues. Murphy is making nearly $12 million -- that, in and of itself, is ludicrous -- and is not just DNP-CD, but DNP-TSA. As in, Told to Stay Away. Not only doesn't Murphy play -- his last game was Jan. 7 -- he has been told to, yup, stay away. As the possessor of an expiring contract, Murphy remains of value as a trade chip, especially if the Nets and Nuggets can get back together and make a deal for Carmelo Anthony. But most of the chatter surrounding Murphy has been of him getting a buyout and signing with Orlando, not Boston. Realistically, he is not what the Celtics need. He's a power forward. He could help size-challenged Orlando, however. As one executive said, "there's no room for him in Boston."

Posey

James Posey, Indiana: Big Game James has all but disappeared on the Indiana bench since Jim O'Brien was sacked, logging four minutes in the past 10 games. No one in Boston needs to be reminded of Posey's penchant for coming up big or for his locker room presence. He also knows the system. But he turned 34 in January and there was a sense in Boston after the 2008 title that Posey, then a free agent, might have already played his best basketball. Why would the Celtics revisit this one if they drew the line on a deal three years ago? (They wouldn't go out four years. New Orleans did. And Posey's contract took on another $670,000 via trade kicker when he was dealt to the Pacers.) Like the Childress deal, this one would require both Daniels and Robinson and would save the Pacers some $3 million. (Or, Jermaine O'Neal could be packaged back to Indy, saving the Pacers almost $1.4 million next year.) Either of those scenarios would go over well in cash-strapped Indiana. But the Celtics would be taking on Posey's contract, worth more than $7 million. If they think Posey has anything left this season, it might be worth a gamble. There's another $7 million due next year, but some of that could get wiped away by a lockout. (Same is true for Childress.)

Sessions

Ramon Sessions, Cleveland: Who knows what the Cavaliers are thinking these days? They certainly aren't going anywhere. League officials say they are looking for draft picks in any deal, but the Celtics' first-rounder this year, right now No. 29, isn't going to cause anyone to salivate over at Quicken Loans Arena. Contractually, Sessions matches up almost identically with Robinson. Cleveland might not want Nate, but Sessions has one more year on his deal (a player option for 2012-13), so that might appeal to the Cavs. The downside here is that Sessions isn't really a swingman; he's listed at 6-foot-3. He certainly could spell Allen at the shooting guard spot and also could play some point guard. He also can score; he dropped 32 on the Lakers on Wednesday.

Antoine Walker, Idaho Stampede: Just kidding.

Rasheed Wallace, Retirement: Ditto.

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Five to watch: Potential Celtics' targets

By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com

LOS ANGELES — Injuries have forced the Boston Celtics to be more aggressive than they would want when it comes to finding a backup small forward. Marquis Daniels is out indefinitely with a bruised spinal cord injury suffered on Feb. 6 vs. the Orlando Magic. The C's are still gathering information on Daniels' injury, which has left the Celtics little choice but to be concerned about Daniels' return. "Marquis won't be back anytime soon," Rivers said for the umpteenth time recently.

That leaves a huge hole behind Paul Pierce that the Celtics have been trying to fill. Despite the impressive record, the C's (40-14) are well aware that the need for a backup to Pierce is essential to them going into the postseason with a team that can win it all. Several names have hit the rumor mill in full stride as players the Celtics should target.

Boston will look to bolster the roster via a trade, as well as keeping an eye out for potential buy-outs. Without question, the C's can get more bang for their buck by adding a player that is bought out. Those players usually leave money on the table and sign with another team for a significantly reduced rate. The trade-off for those players would be having an opportunity to play for one of the top teams in the NBA; a team like the Boston Celtics.

Among the most talked-about names as a player the Celtics should pursue if he becomes available, is former UConn star and current Detroit Piston Richard Hamilton. Hamilton recently spoke with CSNNE.com about his future in Detroit, which appears to be coming to an end soon. "I just want to get an opportunity to play," Hamilton told CSNNE.com. "You been hearing rumors for the last two-plus years (about being traded). So it's more evident now than ever." For teams like Detroit, the preference is clearly to trade players like Hamilton. When that doesn't happen, buy-outs become a possibility.

Boston also has a bunch of big men banged up, so they might look to add a power forward or center as well.

We'll take a look at five players that Boston might be interested in acquiring if they were to become available.

1) James Posey, Indiana Pacers
Age: 34 Position: SF
Contract status: Has one year and $7.6 million left after this season.
Pros: Familiar with C's system having been part of '08 title team; defensive specialist; career 35 percent 3-point shooter.
Cons: Age; C's bench different now than when he was with the team in '08.
Trade or buy-out? Both are options to consider.

2) Charlie Bell, Golden State Warriors
Age: 31 Position: G/F
Contract status: Has one year and $4.1 million left on current deal.
Pros: Defense; versatility; mentally tough player.
Cons: Shooting.
Trade or buy-out? Trade. Could swap him for Nate Robinson, straight-up.

3) Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
Age: 33 Position: SG
Contract status: Has two years and $25 million left on his current deal.
Pros: A three-time all-star; still a good mid-range shooter; will come to Boston with something to prove.
Cons: Age; attitude concerns; defense probably weakest part of his game.
Trade or buy-out? Buyout. That's the only way this will even be an option for the Celtics.

4) Anthony Parker, Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 35 Position: G/F
Contract status: Earns $2.8 million this season; will be a free agent this summer.
Pros: Defense; spot-up 3-point shooter; decent ball-handler
Cons: Inconsistent shooter; decision-making can be questionable at times;
Trade or buy-out? Both are options to consider.

5) Troy Murphy, New Jersey Nets
Age: 30 Position: F/C
Contract status: Earns $12 million this season; will be a free agent this summer.
Pros: Good shooting perimeter big man; solid rebounder.
Cons: Defense.
Trade or buy-out? Buyout. C's wouldn't trade any of its core assets to acquire Murphy.

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