With the Boston Celtics trading head coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a first-round draft pick, the team has shown they’re officially ready to start from scratch and build around perennial All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo.

Before the rebuilding process can officially begin in Boston, the Celtics need to part ways with Paul Pierce and his $15.3 million contract. The consensus as of right now is the Celtics will simply buyout Pierce’s contract for $5 million before the deadline on June 30.

Ideally, in order to land Smith in a sign-and-trade, the Celtics must deal Pierce elsewhere. Unloading the $15.3 million left on his deal and receiving a trade exception big enough to send to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Josh Smith.

With Smith and Rajon Rondo having history all the way to high school, the duo of these star players would be ideal in Boston. The team is trying to get younger while also putting a competitive team on the floor and acquiring Smith would do exactly that.

The only concern the team would have moving forward if able to make this deal is whether or not Kevin Garnett wants to stay in Boston for the remainder of his contract. Garnett was linked in the deal with Rivers to Los Angeles, but the NBA decided that it would be in violation.

With Garnett potentially unwilling to go through another rebuilding process, the Celtics may try to pursue a trade that will please the veteran forward enough to waive his no-trade clause. Garnett may ultimately end up staying with the Celtics if this deal to acquire Smith goes through, but his future definitely remains up in the air moving forward.

Garnett will likely be able to control his own fate and may simply decide to retire.

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