Ray Allen a Celtic
June 29, 2007 by cavman
Thanks to a draft day trade, the Celtics now have Allen Ray and the much better Ray Allen playing shooting guard. The Celtics traded Wally, Delonte West and the #5 pick, which was Jeff Green (who could have been paired with Gerald Green for the boys in green but won’t).
What I Like About the Trade
The Celtics really needed a consistent outside shooter and experience. Ray Allen can certainly do that. He had a career high 26 points per last season. Ray is also a pretty good passer, and can play point guard for short stretches. This will stretch the defense and open up the game for Paul and Al.
This trade will probably make Pierce happy. He has another proven scorer. He should make Paul better. He’s really missed Walker, but Ray will shoot far better than ‘Toine ever did.
What I Don’t Like About the Trade
We traded 2 guys who couldn’t stay healthy for another guy who has had trouble staying healthy lately. Those 26 ppg came in only 55 games last season. He’s coming off of ankle surgery, but is still more athletic than Wally was. Ray is not known for his defense, which has been a problem for the Celtics. Jeff Green was supposed to be a pretty good defender.
Ray’s contract is a year longer than Wally’s. At least it is only 3 years, which will put Ray at 35. The Celtics will, if he stays healthy, get the tail end of Ray’s prime. His contract is also more expensive than Wally’s (and probably Delonte’s too). So… you have to fill 2 more roster spots (include Green) with less available money. So our salary cap flexibility will not be great.
This puts lots of pressure to get the job done in the next 3 years, before the rebuilding begins again. Unless Gerald, Rajon and Tony Allen develop well.
I guess we’ll know by December whether this was a good trade or not.
Update: Boston.com is reporting that we also get the 35th pick in this trade. Oooh, 2 second round picks. Though Danny seems to do very well in the second round. We need some height, Danny, height.
Peter May makes a good point about the 3 player team of Pierce, Allen and Garnett. I think that’s a pretty potent starting 3 even if it costs us Jefferson. Your thoughts?
I really don’t see Garnett as that much of an improvement ($20 million) over Jefferson.
You have to pay 12 more guys (their combined salary would be about $59 million this year).
Besides, you want to have some good players left in 3 years when these guys are past their prime.
Ray Allen is in his prime everybody gets hurt. he averaged 26.4ppg he got a game high 54 points with bone spurs in he feet yeah he still in his prime.whomever says hes not in his prime probably didn’t watch his season.