About a month and a half ago, the trade rumors in the NBA were starting to run rampant with plenty of big-name players being thrown around in potential trades. One team that seemed to be on the verge of breaking up the core of their squad was the Boston Celtics. Rumors of Boston’s Big 3 being dealt by the NBA trade deadline on March 15 started to heat up with Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce possibly on their way out of Beantown.

There was no question that Celtics GM Danny Ainge was seriously considering making considerable moves at the deadline in an attempt to begin an extensive rebuilding process in Boston. Even All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo was reportedly on the trading block and was almost dealt to the arch rival Los Angeles Lakers for two-time NBA champion forward Pau Gasol.

Obviously, no big deals were made before the deadline with the Boston Celtics standing pat with their current roster. Apparently, Ainge came extremely close to trading both Pierce and Allen at the deadline.

The deal for Ray Allen would’ve sent the NBA’s all-time leading in three-point field goals to the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, the Celtics would’ve received a draft pick and shooting guard O.J. Mayo. This was a move that would have made Boston considerably younger and given them another pick in the draft.

As for Paul Pierce, the deal the Celtics were working on was sending the one-time NBA champion to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for veteran forward Mehmet Okur and a lottery pick. Even though Okur isn’t what he used to be, the Celtics wanted that pick to get some young talent in the 2012 NBA draft.

Despite this deals almost going through, the Celtics decided to hold off the rebuilding process for a little while longer. So far, it appears that Ainge may have made the right move with Boston getting back on track and having a legitimate shot to make something happen in the upcoming NBA playoffs.

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