More Whispers About A Pierce Trade

Maybe there is more to that rumored Paul Pierce deal that I mentioned a few days ago. Chad Ford, ESPN.com's NBA Insider, is reporting that the hottest rumor circulating around the NBA Pre-Draft camp in Chicago is that the Celtics would deal Pierce to the Portland for the No. 3 pick and Nick Van Exel. Because Van Exel has a team option for his contract in 2005-'06, the Celtics could waive him without owing him a cent of his $12.7 million. Danny Ainge, Boston's vice-president of basketball operations, shot down the rumor, calling it "ludicrous." He says he has no intention of trading Pierce. Of course he said the same thing about Antoine Walker before the 2003-'04 season started. And when I got my season ticket package folder for '05-'06, the featured players were Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Tony Allen. Usually a team fetaures its captain, a returning All-Star, in such a promotion. That is, if they think he will be with the team for the season that they are trying to sell. This is not concrete proof that the Truth will be a Trail Blazer next season. This does not mean Pierce will be traded anywhere else. The chances are still that No. 34 will continue to be a Celtic. But it is very, very interesting.