North Station Sports

Boston.com is reporting that Danny Ainge met with Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine yesterday, after practice. It’s assumed they were discussing the potential trade that has been rumored to involve Allen, Scal and Giddens for Andres Nocioni. Ainge is, as usual, tight lipped regarding the trade rumors.

Time to Look For Some Help?– Boston Globe

While the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to rid themselves of the underachieving Samuel Dalembert and the Sacramento Kings are seeking to deal the disgruntled Kenny Thomas, the Celtics have been rumored to be part a three-way deal that would send Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and J.R. Giddens out of Boston and net them the Kings’ Andres Nocioni.

Earlier I posted that I do not like the Nocioni trade. It’s not that Nocioni is an unattractive addition to the C’s roster. We can never get enough of the “Posey-like” toughness that Andres brings to the hardwood. It’s not that I would miss TA either, I said goodbye to him 2 years ago and cringe every time his name is mentioned. Scal? Well, I love Scal but he is over-paid and underutilized with all the talent on the Celtics roster. I rarely even remember J.R. Giddens is on our roster so that tells you how much I would miss him.

The trade sounds good then, Right?

Wrong! The potential ramifications of taking on a 21 million dollar contract is not attractive when weighed against what it would do to the Celtics cash-flow issues next season. Ray Allen’s contract up and Paul Pierce is due for an extension. Paul Pierce is a lock to get an extension but it would be hard to honor Nocioni’s hefty tab while trying to make a reasonable offer to keep #20 in green and secure his spot in the rafters.

Nocioni is gritty and on the gentle side of 30. Ray Allen (34) is on the rough side of the 30 but through excellent conditioning and work ethic, shows little signs of mortality. In my mind, Ray is a lock. He is stability on the roster. He is a mentor to the younger players. He is a Celtic.

He will take a pay-cut next year to remain in green. I said a pay CUT  not the vets minimum which may be required if we burden Nocioni’s contract.

In my mind, the loss of Ray is too much for me to agree to this deal. I know! I know! I am not thinking about the C’s future here. I agree, I am a bit present-minded, sticking for a guy who’s past his prime, but taking care of our players, job security and allowing our stars to retire gracefully in green is a Red Auerbach trait I would not want to see end.