Rumors are beginning to surface around NBA rumor mills that Celtics veteran guard Ray Allen and teammate Rajon Rondo cannot stand one another. The talk is that Allen simply doesn't get along with his floor general. Reports concerning Rondo not being a likable guy in the Celtics locker room are nothing new, but bad blood between he and a specific teammate are fresh.
The Boston Celtics just wrapped up a remarkable playoff run. The Celtics advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals where they forced a game seven with the Miami Heat. Prior to the game seven loss in Miami, talk that Boston's "big 3" were going to be done after the postseason was rampant. Now, with new rumors swirling around Allen and Rondo it seems as if at least one original "big 3" member could be on his way out.
It would probably be in Boston's best interest to go ahead and move Allen, who still has one year left on his contract. Some in Boston and around the league are probably figuring that forward Kevin Garnett should be moved as well. However, Garnett's inspired play in the playoffs might have earned him an extra year or two with the Celtics.
Forward Paul Pierce is the other piece of the puzzle, but it's hard to see Boston move him. Pierce has been through everything good and bad with this club and deserves to finish out his career in Boston and perhaps chase another title next year.
Rajon Rondo is young and one of the most productive point guards in the NBA right now. He's coming off of a monster postseason where he racked up four triple-doubles. Through the 19 games Boston played this postseason, Rondo averaged 17.3 points and 11.9 assists per game. Rondo was a playoff freak and showed the world that he should be considered without argument to be a top three point guard in the league.
A rocky relationship between he and Allen could create a fragile locker room situation, one that Boston can't let affect an entire team. Who knows if it affected them this season at all. It's a risk Boston can't take and if anyone were to be moved it should certainly be Allen.
If Boston does decide to move Ray Allen, then a new "big 3" will form consisting of Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. The Celtics could push forward next season with that core of veteran talent and perhaps bring in a you athletic shooting guard that can score and defend the perimeter. Maybe a "Thabo Sefolosha" type player that could help perhaps catapult them over a Miami Heat club next season.
Ray Allen, if healthy, maybe has one productive year left in him. The Celtics should do him the honor of putting him with a contender in the Western Conference. The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, or even the LA Clippers would be solid places for Allen to go and finish his brilliant career.
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