5-on-5: Should the Celtics buy or sell?
March, 9, 2012
3/09/12
12:33
PM ET
By ESPNBoston.com
Today's NBA 5-on-5 feature with the TrueHoop Network bloggers looks at five teams that could be either buyers or sellers at the March 15 trade deadline. Here's what they had to say about the Celtics. Vote in our accompanying poll and share your thoughts in the comments section:

Andrew Lynch, Hardwood Paroxysm: Sell. As long as the price is right, that is. With more than $31 million set to come off the cap when Garnett's and Allen's contracts expire, the Celtics shouldn't be desperate. But those players -- and Pierce -- could improve several teams, most notably the Clippers and Bulls.
Danny Nowell, Magic Basketball: Sell. I don't see the Celtics competing for a title again with this group, and their roster is filled with large expiring veteran contracts that may well be worth it to a few more serious contenders.
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes Of Hell: Sell. The Celtics are done. It's time for Danny Ainge to begin his rebuilding project by moving the pieces of his last rebuilding project. Boston's core four might still possess enough allure to win a young asset in a trade. Rondo, in particular, is sure to bring back a good haul.
Brian Windhorst, ESPN.com: Buy. Mark Cuban says playoff seeding doesn't matter in this lockout-shortened year; it's just about getting in, then focusing on one opponent at a time. I happen to agree with him completely. The Celtics just need to get in, then they can try to make a last run. I say buy, try to bolster that horrid bench and let your veterans give it one more try. They have to rebuild after this year either way because Garnett's and Allen's contracts are up. Play it to the finish line.

Should the Boston Celtics buy or sell?
James Herbert, Hardwood Paroxysm: Buy. The teams that would want Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen don't have the movable young talent Boston would need in a trade. Boston still has a solid eight-man rotation -- trying to find some depth on the margins is a better plan than blowing everything up and trading Rajon Rondo.Andrew Lynch, Hardwood Paroxysm: Sell. As long as the price is right, that is. With more than $31 million set to come off the cap when Garnett's and Allen's contracts expire, the Celtics shouldn't be desperate. But those players -- and Pierce -- could improve several teams, most notably the Clippers and Bulls.
Danny Nowell, Magic Basketball: Sell. I don't see the Celtics competing for a title again with this group, and their roster is filled with large expiring veteran contracts that may well be worth it to a few more serious contenders.
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes Of Hell: Sell. The Celtics are done. It's time for Danny Ainge to begin his rebuilding project by moving the pieces of his last rebuilding project. Boston's core four might still possess enough allure to win a young asset in a trade. Rondo, in particular, is sure to bring back a good haul.
Brian Windhorst, ESPN.com: Buy. Mark Cuban says playoff seeding doesn't matter in this lockout-shortened year; it's just about getting in, then focusing on one opponent at a time. I happen to agree with him completely. The Celtics just need to get in, then they can try to make a last run. I say buy, try to bolster that horrid bench and let your veterans give it one more try. They have to rebuild after this year either way because Garnett's and Allen's contracts are up. Play it to the finish line.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paul Pierce
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | K. Garnett | 7.8 | ||||||||||
| Assists | R. Rondo | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | R. Rondo | 1.8 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | K. Garnett | 0.9 | ||||||||||





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