Well I posted something about this in the other thread, but that was based on a radio interview. Now that this is in print, I decided it merited a seperate thread... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Talks between the Sonics and Ray Allen have broken down with sources claiming it's highly unlikely they'll reach any sort of contract extension before the trade deadline.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The primary target is the Celtics' Paul Pierce, multiple sources told Insider. The Sonics would like to ship Allen to Boston for Pierce and Tom Gugliotta. But will the Celtics take the bait? Right now, the answer appears to be no. </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">However, what if the Sonics sweetened the pot? If the Sonics added either rookie Robert Swift or an impending free agent like Vladimir Radmanovic, Antonio Daniels or even Flip Murray ? the Celtics might reconsider. Or, if they agreed to swap Vitaly Potapenko's expiring contract for Mark Blount as part of the deal, that also might get them to reconsider. Currently, neither seems likely on the Sonics end. Not unless they got another piece back as well, something like Jiri Welsch. </div> Source If Seattle can pull off a deal to land Pierce, it would definitely be worth it for them. If they are positive that Ray won't re-sign, then Pierce would be an excellent replacement.
Well I thought I heard Sund quoted as saying it was 'ridiculous', a sure sign something's brewing But just to play along, if Ray and Seattle parting ways is inevitable, Pierce would be a nice piece to plug in - he can nail the 3 and drive to the hoop and draw contact. He'd also give us another guy who can do something in the post. I think he's signed for a few more years - for some reason I'm thinking something like Rashard's deal. He's also bigger and more physical than Ray and his performance against Indiana in the playoffs a couple years ago showed he's a prime time player. He was unbelievable in that series, a man among boys on center stage. I've no clue as to his attitude/character, and he doesn't seem as nasty as he was before getting stabbed. Not sure about his D, either, although it can't be any worse than Ray's.
Give me Paul Pierce anyday of the week, and twice on Sundays. When he's not forced to do it all, he is a tremendous player. However, I'm pretty glad we didn't do anything. This current rotation is what has us on track for homecourt in the playoffs, and while who knows what will happen in the4 summer with free agents etc, right now I'm enjoying the ride.
