Though team president Danny Ainge has publicly ridiculed the Allen
trade reports, several NBA executives told CBSSports.com that the
Celtics have been actively trying to parlay Allen's $19.7 million
expiring contract into an asset that could keep them in the mix during
the upcoming playoffs and also help them for the next several seasons.
The most recent inquiry, sources say, involved Sacramento sharpshooter Kevin Martin,
who'd be a good fit with Boston's remaining core. Kings officials might
be talked out of their reluctance to deal Martin if they could pry
a prolific big man out of a third team brought into the discussions or
in a separate transaction before the deadline....
If the Celtics kept Allen and let his contract come off the books, they'd still be over the cap this summer with no avenues besides sign-and-trades to acquire a starting shooting guard. That's why Boston also has expressed interest in the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, an excellent defender and ball-handler who would give the Celtics a starting two guard next season at $9 million and in 2011-12 at $8 million. The Bulls' motivation would be cap relief.
The Kings, who are not planning to be big free-agent shoppers this summer, aren't seeking to acquire cap space alone. They want assets -- and the Celtics don't have a young big man to offer. The Bulls, who almost certainly will move Tyrus Thomas, might need to be invited into that conversation to satisfy everyone's needs.
If the Celtics kept Allen and let his contract come off the books, they'd still be over the cap this summer with no avenues besides sign-and-trades to acquire a starting shooting guard. That's why Boston also has expressed interest in the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, an excellent defender and ball-handler who would give the Celtics a starting two guard next season at $9 million and in 2011-12 at $8 million. The Bulls' motivation would be cap relief.
The Kings, who are not planning to be big free-agent shoppers this summer, aren't seeking to acquire cap space alone. They want assets -- and the Celtics don't have a young big man to offer. The Bulls, who almost certainly will move Tyrus Thomas, might need to be invited into that conversation to satisfy everyone's needs.
Kevin Martin (27-years old, 6-7, 185 lbs) is an intriguing option. He can definitely score - 24 ppg the last two seasons. There are injury concerns. He missed 31 games last season due to an ankle injury, and another 32 this season with a wrist injury. His contract status (after this year): three years remaining and $36 million.
