All quiet on Celtics' front
SALT LAKE CITY - The Celtics might need a guard or two after losing Tony Allen, who underwent left thumb surgery yesterday, and trading Sam Cassell to Sacramento. The team could also use reinforcements up front, if it is using the blueprint that helped build last year's NBA championship season.
But there is little chance any moves will be made by the Celtics prior to today's trade deadline.
"Nothing, all quiet," Celtics president Danny Ainge said yesterday. "I'm not expecting anything. We've tried to do some deals, there is nothing that's worked that makes the math fit for teams. We're trying to do deals, we put some effort - nothing.
"I'm not even close to doing deals. There is nothing going on. I'll continue to talk over the next 24 hours. I'll talk with teams but nothing's there. It's an expiring contract, free agent situation - we don't have any of those."
Because of financial issues, other teams are attempting to clear salaries and are interested in acquiring players with contracts due to end after this season. Several franchises have applied for loans as part of the league's application for a $175 million line of credit.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are getting down to business on the court in preparation for tonight's game against the Utah Jazz.
"I don't think there's going to be much," coach Doc Rivers said of trade possibilities. "But you never know, at the last second something could pop up, but I doubt it."
The Celtics held two-hour practices Tuesday and yesterday, their first without Cassell, who joined the team last year but had not played this season.
"Tony and Sam, miss them," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "[Cassell] is a guy who is a motivator on the sideline, a good locker room guy. Hopefully, we will find a way to get him back. Unfortunately for Tony, he's having a really bad year as far as injuries. He's coming off an ankle injury and now this happens. It takes away from our depth at the wing position, so maybe we'll make a move or something, I don't know.
"If we do something or if we don't, the challenge is that - that's what being a champion is all about, weathering the storm and overcoming adversity.
"We're going to have to find out what management is going to do with a couple things, and go from there. But we're not the type of team to make excuses. When somebody goes down, if we have injuries, we go out there and try to play."
The deadline for players to be on rosters for the playoffs is March 1. The Celtics (44-11) were tied with Milwaukee and Toronto for most games played before the All-Star break and are second to the Los Angeles Lakers in winning percentage.
"I think these next five to 10 games or so will show us what we need to do," Ray Allen said.
Allen and Kevin Garnett, who were also teammates of Cassell's before he joined the Celtics, said they had not talked to him but were aware he could return, possibly as an assistant coach.
"I am going to make sure I make some contact with him and see how he's doing," Garnett said. "I hope so, that's a possibility [that Cassell returns]. He gives us a lot from a chemistry standpoint.
"At this point, I am real happy with my situation and I hope the team stays like it is. I hope that as a group we get better and we keep that harmony we have and, if any additions are made to the team, the guys who come in here have that harmony. You want to keep that harmony throughout the year."
Gabe Pruitt, Brian Scalabrine, who practiced at full speed and apparently has recovered from a concussion, and Bill Walker could fill in for Tony Allen.
"Whoever steps forward, you'll know," Rivers said. "That means Billy Walker, Scal, Gabe, or Eddie [House] and [Rajon] Rondo playing more minutes. Together, we'll find out. We don't know the answer right now." 