Can Danny?

Trade winds are a-blowing and it looks like the Celtics are definitely looking to make a move. Let's take a look at the assets we have and see where we stand in terms of trade pieces and which player should be considered Celtics instead of "assets".

Paul Pierce : The capo. Career season. Soon to be a 20 million dollar man. Personally, I can't say that I'm not still interested in trading him but I think it's pretty much a horrific idea to sign a player to a three year extension and then ship him off. For that reason alone, Pierce is here for at least another year.

Wally Szczerbiak : I think I've made it pretty obvious that I don't like Wally but right now, in any deal, he's just a salary. He was injured this past season and didn't really show all that much. His value as a player is nil. While I would love to see him dealt, unless we can get a solid offer for him, I'm not sure we are really in the position to move him. I would hate to have to give up an extra young guy in a deal just because Wally's value is less than it could be right now.

Theo Ratliff : While next season he'd be more valuable as an expiring contract, Theo is our best trade asset. Also, as one of only three decent sized contracts on the Celtics ledger, Theo pretty much has to go since Pierce is untouchable and Wally is undervalued.

Brian Scalabrine : A terrible signing made to look worse than it really was after the fans turned on him. For the sake of everyone, we should try to move him. He's a solid 10th man. Kendrick Perkins : Roster-wise, with Theo as our best trade asset, it only makes sense that Perkins is untouchable. The only reason we would trade him is if contract extension talks don't go well and he insists on Dalembert money. If we can keep him for around 6 or 7 million a year, I'd sign him. If not, it is likely time to look to move Kendrick.

Al Jefferson : Big Al's value is pretty much crap right now. It was crap before the summer and after his uninspired summer league performance, it isn't much better. That being said, how much better is it going to get this season? Will Big Al finally break out or will it be another season of disappointment? While we all know that Wally can be a little more effective than he showed when healthy, there's no telling if Big Al will help his stock during the season, especially if Gomes surpasses him on the depth chart. And with Perkins signed to play in the middle, does Big Al make sense in the post alongside him? Right now, even though his value is low, Big Al has to be one of the main men on the block.

Sebastian Telfair : If we're getting Iverson, we might as well deal Bassy because I see no sense in having Telfair and AI in the backcourt together. Rondo makes a little more sense because of his defense but even then, it's be a ridiculously short backcourt. If we don't deal for AI, then I think we should keep Telfair. There are very few true PG's who match Telfair's upside and none of them are available. I can live with a season of growing pains for Bassy more than getting bogged down with a guy that we already know is only good and will never be great.

Tony Allen : Tony showed some versatility this season, playing the point, and once his court date is over with, his legal troubles shouldn't overshadow his ability. He could very well be a valuable trade asset but at the same time, he's also our best perimeter defender from last season (Rondo might take the crown from him this coming season). Unless we find a way to replace Allen's defense, I don't think he can be moved right now.

Delonte West : Of all the young guys, Delonte has made the most of his time on the court and has raised his trade value to a legitimate level. With Telfair and Rondo, we don't exactly need West anymore. Delonte is a Bobby Jackson type player, someone that everyone likes but nobody really needs. While he could back up Pierce at the two, I think Allen makes more sense because of his defense. I like West but I think if we're going to make a deal, he makes the most sense to be part of the offer. That being said, I highly doubt Danny is going to move him unless he's forced too.

Gerald Green : While he's the most likely to be dealt, I think he should be the last on our list. Pretty much since he's arrived, Green has been talked down by Ainge and I don't think he was ever a part of the plan, rather, he was simply an surprisingly useful asset that fell to Ainge. If we're trading for a shooting guard, Green makes the most sense to move as he would likely just be collecting spliters. But unless a Ray Allen-type is coming back, I think it would be a mistake to trade Gerald Green before we get to see what he can do in the second half of next season.

Ryan Gomes : Gomes! His summer league performance could have helped his stock and might have boosted him into being a guy that could be the difference between us getting a good or great player. Personally, I don't ever see him being a star so if we could move him as a package to get an All-Star caliber player, then I'd be for it. If all we're getting back is K-Mart or Boozer, forget about it.

Dwayne Jones, Allan Ray, Leon Power : I really don't see them having much, if any, trade value.

The prognosis: Right now, I'd look to move Theo Ratliff, Al Jefferson, and Delonte for a top notch player who could handle the power forward position. Ideally, the player would be the level of a Lamar Odom or Shawn Marion, and if we had to add Wally instead of Ratliff, I'd be for it. If we don't have to move Wally, I'd hold off on making a second deal until the trade deadline when Wally should hopefully be healthy, and we'd have a better handle on Gerald Green and his ability.