Big Baby Is On The Block ........ Several Sources

The Boston Celtics and Charlotte Bobcats are discussing a trade centered around Glen "Big Baby'' Davis and D.J. Augustin, according to league sources.

The sources cautioned that nothing is imminent, but said the clubs are having discussions.

The Bobcats have been searching for a power forward, and the 6-9 Davis could be their man. The Celtics, meanwhile, have been longing for a backup point guard, and Augustin, who's fallen out of favor with Charlotte coach Larry Brown, would be more than adequate.

A straight-up trade would not work because Davis is a base-year compensation player, so other players would have to be involved to meet the financial requirements. That could be a sticking point in the deal.

While teams don't typically trade big for small, Boston is a bit aggravated with Davis, who's had a few off-the-court problems this season. Most notably, he missed the first 27 games of the season after breaking his thumb in an early morning scuffle with a friend.

The Celtics have been rumored to be shopping Ray Allen, and while league sources insist the word "shopping'' is too strong, they say the shooting guard is definitely available. Few believe he'll be traded before the Feb. 18 deadline, though, because the Celtics aren't likely to get a better player in return.

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In this edition of the NBA PM: Celtics and Bobcats talking Glen Davis and D.J. Augustin…NBA may have to replace more All-Stars…Antawn Jamison okay with the fine…HOOPSWORLD Chats.

Bobcats, Celtics Talking: Rumors are hot and heavy this afternoon about trade talks between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Boston Celtics. The focus of the trade is around Celtics power forward Glen Davis and Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.

Davis makes $3 million this season (and $3.3 million next season), but is also a Base Year Compensation player. That means he only counts as $1.5 million in an outgoing trade for Boston, but he would count $3 million for Charlotte (or any other team) acquiring him.

Augustin makes $2.4 million this season, $2.5 million next season, and has a team option for 2011-12 for $3.2 million (which has to be decided upon by this October).

Because of the BYC status of Davis a straight up trade won't work, but if say, Stephen Graham from Charlotte and J.R. Giddens from the Celtics were included the deal would work under CBA rules.

The Cats have been looking for another big man for awhile and Augustin seems to have fallen out of favor with Larry Brown this season after having a pretty good rookie year. A move like this would actually save the Cats money (that team option year on Augustin) in the short-term, but in the long-term it could be significant.

With Augustin no longer on the roster the team would have almost zero negotiating position with unrestricted free agent to be guard Raymond Felton. A restricted free agent last year who signed his Qualifying Offer, the Cats will still hold his Bird Rights in free agency. Felton is posting the lowest assist numbers of his career and the lowest point total since his rookie season, but he's also hitting career-highs in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, and steals. On the open market he stands to bring in a lot of attention. The Cats may be forced to pay his asking price in order to keep some continuity should Augustin be no longer on the roster.

As for the Celtics, this idea of trading a big for a small could be problematic. True, they absolutely need another point guard – it's one of the biggest problems they have had this year. However, trading Davis could seriously hurt their big man depth. Shelden Williams has played solid ball this year, but if Kevin Garnett continues to struggle with his knee they may need him.

That's why a deal may be more likely that sends a guard back to the Bobcats they can use (Giddens hasn't shown much at all, and he's hurt) and a big man of some kind back to the Celtics. Looking at the rosters, those players really don't seem to be there.

Would these teams make the move even though it could force another problem later due to an imbalanced roster? Keep an eye on this one – but that's likely why Sheridan characterized talks as in the early stages.



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