Ainge, of course, tried to start the process of looking to the future when he traded Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green last season. Green’s heart ailment eliminated him from the equation this season and was a damaging blow to the team, and Perkins could certainly help the Celtics now. But there’s no question Ainge was trying to get younger and faster even before it was apparent that these Celtics desperately need to get younger and faster. Trading Pierce, who has spent his entire career in Boston, could yield a piece or two to help them do that.
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen come off the books this summer, while Pierce has two years and $32 million left on his contract. It’s likely the team has plans to use the money they save on Garnett/Allen to sign a high-profile free agent. Moving Pierce for an expiring contract and a draft pick might allow the Celtics to sign more than one player to a big deal this offseason.
Ainge has options. Trading Rajon Rondo, a scenario that was rumored last month, would be one way in which the Celtics could drastically alter their immediate future. Trading Pierce is another. An answer as to whether either is realistic could come sooner than many had thought heading into this season.
Of course, it’s also not clear how much the Celtics’ 4-8 start has to do with the lockout and a lack of training camp as opposed to the team’s age. Pierce has been dreadful up until the second half of Monday night’s loss to the Thunder, when he finally seemed to have found his offense. His scoring may be more critical to the team’s success than the scoring of any other Celtic, and there’s a chance he turns it around.
For all the worry, the Celtics are 1 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the East and four games out of 6th, where they can likely avoid Miami/Chicago in Round 1.
The Celtics may be able to rebuild with Pierce, make the playoffs, and still look toward the future. Right now, it’s all in play.
