Your Morning Dump... Where Sheed is retiring, Shaq has interest and Ray has an offer

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Monday that Wallace is assisting the team by not filing retirement papers any time soon.

"He's trying to help us out by waiting, which is good,'' Rivers said of Wallace, due to make $6.32 million next season and $6.79 million in 2011-12. "He's still our property so we can use that in a trade or something. He's doing a great thing for us.''

While there has been some speculation Wallace might not retire now that Rivers has assured that he will return to the Celtics and star forward Paul Pierce is on the verge of signing a new contract, Rivers said the chances are "very little or none'' the forward will play next season.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge, joining Rivers and the Celtics at the AirTran Airways Pro Summer League, said that "as far as I know'' Wallace will retire. He also spoke of Wallace holding off to help the Celtics, saying, "We're hoping that will happen. A piece (for the team to use in a possible deal).''

AOL Fanhouse - Sheed buying time as Celtics plotting moves

Pfew. I was starting to worry that Sheed might reconsider his decision. I'm assuming the Celtics will trade the contract, but what if they can't land a viable big man in return? Is it possible the Celtics would be better off with Sheed playing another season?

The Celtics are one of three teams (Atlanta, Dallas) interested in Shaquille O'Neal, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.

O'Neal would be interested in playing for each of the three teams, sources close to him said.

He has great respect for Boston's coach, Doc Rivers, a good relationship with Kevin Garnett, and it was Shaq who gave Paul Pierce his nickname, "The Truth." With starting center, Kendrick Perkins, sidelined for up to six months after undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, O'Neal would seem to be a solid replacement.

Atlanta has reportedly offered Shaq a two-year deal at the MLE (although his camp denies it). That's a bit steep for my taste.

On Page 2, the latest on Ray and Tony Allen.

Ainge said an offer has been made to Ray Allen, 35, but he would not reveal terms nor speculate about what Allen might do. But asked if he believed it was an attractive offer for Allen, Ainge said, "Yes, it is.''

AOL Fanhouse

Ainge acknowledged that Tony Allen, who played a critical role in Boston's run towards the NBA Finals this past season, is also a player Boston has had discussions with about coming back.

"We just haven't come to any agreement," Ainge told CSNNE.com. "But, yes, we're talking with Tony."

CSNNE

Ray Allen is waiting for the LeBron, Wade and Bosh dust to settle before he signs anything. It's the smart business decision.

As for Tony Allen, how much of a raise will he see from the $2.5 million he made last year?

The rest of the links:

Globe - Erden signed | Herald - Holding pattern | Harangody's hot hand | ESPN Boston - Report Card: Rasheed Wallace | Harangody turns heads |