The Boston Celtics reportedly are trying to trade Marcus Thornton and Gerald Wallace before the deadline. Austin Rivers, meanwhile, reportedly is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Trading Rajon Rondo to Dallas signified Boston is serious now about doing a complete rebuild. Part of that means trying to trade veterans Thornton and Wallace for more financial flexibility, according to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler.
Per Kyler:
"The Celtics are continuing to try and find a home for the veterans on their roster earning any kind of money. Thornton seems to be next on the Celtics' to-deal list, although his contract isn't exactly the most favorable due to his $8.575 million salary. It is tough in the NBA to dump money without including additional assets, but fortunately for Boston they have (at least 11 first round picks over the next season years).
"Like Thornton, the Celtics would love to off-load forward Gerald Wallace. The problem is he may be very difficult to move before the deadline, mainly because he is owed $10.15 million this year and $10.105 million next year. ... With the Celtics fairly reluctant to take back anything of real value in a trade, moving Wallace will be tough. With that said, Boston continues to work the market place looking for deals and Wallace has been kicked around a few times."
While Boston seemingly continues to shop Thornton, Wallace and possibly Brandon Bass, they reportedly completed a three-team that will send Rivers to Los Angeles to play under his father, Clippers coach and president Doc Rivers.
ESPN reported Boston, Los Angeles and Phoenix scheduled a trade call with the league office for Thursday afternoon. The deal, according to ESPN, includes: Austin to Los Angeles, Clippers guard Reggie Bullock to Phoenix and Suns forward Shavlik Randolph and Clippers swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts to Boston.
Both Randolph and Douglas-Roberts are on expiring contracts.
