Our Goal Is Still a Championship, Right?

(Photo courtesy of DGA Productions)

By: Greg Payne

Rumors, rumors, rumors. As unsettling as some might be, they nevertheless provide some remarkable opportunities for gossip in what is otherwise the most boring part of the year.

For now, the rumors could prove to be nothing more than speculation or innocent ideas thrown out by those who have a wealth of knowledge of the league and the salary cap. Match up some contracts, make sure the deal somewhat makes sense for both teams and then throw the names out there. Until moratorium begins July 1, though, how seriously can we take these rumors?

Are we merely breaking ourselves in for the chaos that will surely ensue once teams and players may actually talk to one another and discuss some real numbers? Are we adjusting ourselves to all of this rumor talk, losing sleep and thinking less about other aspects of our lives, knowing that this is simply the trial run? We let the rumor break, we let our emotions get the best of us and then we discuss and debate, finally coming to our own personal conclusions about each and every one of them.

But, in terms of the most recent rumors, particularly the ones released by ESPN's Chad Ford, we have to assume none of the deals mentioned could actually be executed by Celtics' management, right? If our goal for next season is in fact to win a championship, then surely all of the potential trade situations will be shot down faster than a drake in Duck Hunt.

So, let's briefly review the deals mentioned and discuss why they will not help us win a championship.

Rajon Rondo to the Sacramento Kings for the #4 overall pick and either Spencer Hawes or Jason Thompson.

If we were to indeed give up Rondo, kiss next season goodbye. As talented as the big three are, all of them have come forward too many times, admitting that Rondo is indeed the man behind the Celtics' entire offense. Well, if you take such a pivotal player out of the equation and fill it with someone either less talented or someone who plays a different position, not only do you remove an important piece, but you fail to fill it with equal value.

Ray Allen to Memphis for Darko Milicic, Greg Buckner and Marko Jaric.

Does this seem even remotely possible? How on earth would any of those three players help the Celtics win a championship next season? You could easily argue Buckner isn't worthy of a backup point guard spot, while Milicic still has yet to make a legitimate name for himself as a player in this league. Unless his game shapes up he will always be known as the mistake Detroit made. As for Jaric, he's a backup at best, but if Allen were to be traded in this scenario wouldn't that mean Jaric is suddenly the starting shooting guard? I'd rather throw Kendrick Perkins up top and let him hoist them up from deep.

Ray Allen to Washington for Etan Thomas, Mike James, Darius Songaila and the #5 overall pick.

You do not trade the best shooter in basketball for a center with a career rebounding average of 4.9, a shooting guard who will produce less than half the numbers Allen produces and a power forward who has yet to average double-digits in any statistical category (we already have one of those!). As for the draft pick, if Danny Ainge is seriously considering this kid Tyreke Evans, imagine telling the kid he's responsible for replacing Allen. That includes shooting over 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the nation and 90 percent from the free throw line. Welcome to the NBA, Tyreke! As much as I might trust Ainge's judgement when it comes to having an eye for talent, Evans will not bring us an NBA title next season, especially if Allen is given up in order to obtain him.

If any of these deals were to somehow take place, we would have legitimate cause to ask the following question: Our goal is still a championship, right? Because instead of taking steps forward, those moves would take us leaps and bounds in the wrong direction. Suddenly, we'd be back to square one. With any of the aforementioned players we could possibly acquire, would we somehow be expecting to trade them to another team for another superstar? Why not just swap Allen for such a player directly?

Oh, these rumors. Let's all be thankful this is is just practice...for now.

Stay Tuned.