Deal talk music to his ears

Some words of advice for ticket-holders to tomorrow night's Celtics-Suns game: Get to the FleetCenter early because it's Walter McCarty bobblehead doll night.

The first 5,000 fans will receive the limited-edition doll, which could turn out to be a real collector's item. Prior to Boston's 100-86 win over Indiana last night, the reserve forward and face of the franchise at community charity events talked about asking executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge for a trade. The proposed deal making the rounds has McCarty going to Phoenix for a second-round pick.

"Me and Danny have been talking all year," said McCarty. "We've had a lot of discussions. He knows I'm not happy, that I'm frustrated. And it's been like that for awhile. I have to stand up for myself like I should. That's what I feel. I would hate to feel that way and keep it inside. So, I thought I'd talk to Danny about it. He's been working on something.

"I'm just looking out for what's best for Walter McCarty right now. I think too many times in my career, I haven't done that. Right now, it's time for me to look out for myself, not in a selfish way, but just what would be best for me. I don't think for me not really being in the rotation, sitting on the bench, not getting an opportunity is what's best for me at this point in my career."

McCarty told Ainge about his frustrations a few games into the season. He sees "the changing of the guard" with a new coaching staff, a new system where young players receive substantial playing time. He understands what the Celtics are trying to do. He recognizes he no longer fits in their plans for the future.

Coach Doc Rivers understands McCarty's frustrations.

"Walter's had a great road here," said Rivers. "I come in the door, we start playing young guys, his minutes go down, you expect him to be frustrated. But what he has to continue to be is a team player, and understand that. And I think he's done that for the most part. But I don't mind him being frustrated. Hell, if I was a player and Walter's age [31 next Tuesday], I would want to play, too. But I'm going to play the young guys and I've told the guys that."

While Paul Pierce said he, too, could understand McCarty's frustrations, Kendrick Perkins doesn't believe the veteran wants to leave Boston. McCarty has two years remaining on his contract worth $2.8 million.

"I'm excited about [the trade]," said McCarty. "I'm not trying to get too excited because it could fall through. It's a great opportunity. So, we'll just see if it happens." As far the NBA's worst kept trade secret, point guard Gary Payton figures he'll be on the move to another team in the next few weeks. He thinks the potential suitors are Sacramento and Minnesota.

Big setback
The Celtics' future dimmed a little when rookie big man Al Jefferson suffered a high right ankle sprain with 3 minutes 11 seconds remaining in the first period. He was running backward in transition defense when the injury occurred. Jefferson could not put any weight on his right foot and needed Raef LaFrentz and Jiri Welsch to help him off the court and into the locker room. Team physician Arnold Scheller sent Jefferson to New England Baptist for X-rays. Jefferson had entered last night's contest nursing a right hip pointer. He also endured a case of plantar fasciitis. "I am a doctor now," said Rivers. "So, high ankle sprain, not broken, four weeks, maybe more. I haven't seen [the replay] yet. [Trainer] Eddie [Lacerte] said when I see it, it's going to look terrible because he said he did it pretty bad. They were concerned because ankles usually don't blow up immediately and, by the time he got to the locker room it was huge. And so that's why they sent him [to the hospital]. We'll know a little bit more [today]. But they know it's a high ankle sprain, which is not a good thing, but we'll just have to make due. It's big because he was playing so well . . . With the Celtics starting the second half of their season, Rivers offered a midterm report. "We've been up and down," said Rivers. "I'm very competitive, so I don't know if I've ever been on a team or played for a team that didn't think it should be better. I think you should always be better. When you stop that pursuit, then I think you've got some major problems. There's some areas I'm really happy with. Offensively, in most stretches, we have done what we said we came in here to do."