The Boston Celtics have done their best to stem the tide of trade rumors crashing their way, but not even four consecutive victories can keep the trade chatter from reverberating in Beantown.
According to Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick, the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in acquiring Ray Allen.
Amick labels Allen the most likely to be moved, and that makes sense for a number of reasons: Allen is still productive and playing in the last year of a contract, the Celtics could use Mickael Pietrus as a starting shooting guard for the remainder of the season, and many teams could use Allen's sharp outside touch, even if he has lost a step or two since his prime.
Allen is an attractive addition, especially to contending teams looking for a late-season boost.
But Amick cautions that the Clippers might not have enough assets to deal for the sharp shooter:
But the price is likely too high, as Boston wants a package that includes a young talent and a draft pick. The Clippers don't have the latter component, though, and there's a bit of irony involved as to why.
Their 2012 first-round pick went to Oklahoma City in a deal for point guard Eric Bledsoe, and was then moved to Boston in the trade that sent center Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder. The Clippers also had Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-rounder, but gave it to New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade.
The Celtics would likely want Eric Bledsoe as part of the package in return for Allen, but the Clippers were reportedly hesitant to include him in a Chris Paul deal.