HoopsVibe

Rob Lunder of rantsports.com reported Monday that GM Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics would entertain trade offers for Paul Pierce.  According to Lunder, "..reports recently have suggested that the team is open to trading him, provided that they receive the right offer back in return.  it is unclear as to what they would be looking for in return but one would assume that young talent would be at the top of GM Danny Ainge's list."  Lunder goes on to suggest that players like Bradley Beal of the Wizards or Derrick Favors of the Jazz are the type of candidate the Celtics would be looking for, but I'm not so sure either Beal or Favors, while both talented players, bring enough offensively to entice Boston to part with Pierce.  Beal is averaging just over 13 points per game this season and Favors almost nine.  Pierce, in his 15th NBA season, is dropping almost 20 ppg; 19.6 to be exact.
 
As much as the Celtics seem to be interested in assembling a younger squad, Pierce is still putting up serious numbers for a guy who's 35 years old.  Does the idea of trading Pierce suggest that the Celtics are focusing less on the Truth, and more on the future?
 
It will be interesting to see how things pan out in Boston before the February 21st trade deadline.
 
As for the Celtics, the team hasn't really looked like a championship contender so far this season, which makes me think Ainge and the organization is more than open to rebuilding with younger players.  They did, however, beat the Bobcats Monday night for their sixth straight win.  Rajon Rondo's performance was the headline, as he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.  It was the 26th triple-double of his career.  The Celtics are 23-3 overall when Rondo has gone for a triple-double.

Rondo's post-game comments were particulary interesting in light of the Paul Pierce trade rumors.  "I may have a mark on my back," Rondo said.  "Younger guys are coming in, giving me their best shot.  I just come in and try to do what I do best -- run the show."

Most likely Rondo was referring to his younger opponents, but maybe a few roster changes aren't far off.  What do you think, Hoopsvibers?

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