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The Boston Celtics are in one of the worst possible situations as they head into a truncated season with an aging roster, and about as much depth on their bench as some of the Real Housewives of L.A. I have never questioned Danny Ainge’s ability to sniff out potential stars in the draft, nor his willingness or aggressive nature to try to improve the Celtics year in and year out. That being said, there’s not much hope this year in Boston. KG probably doesn’t want to hear it. Pierce doesn’t want to hear it. Neither does Ray Allen, Rondo, or Doc Rivers; but perhaps it’s time for the Celtics think about 2013 rather than 2012.

Truth and reality are usually farther apart then we may want to admit, and while the truth is that this team still has Paul Pierce (who looks to be in great shape), Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, and Jeff Green, the reality is such that what they have might not be enough. No one is suggesting they should mail in the 2012 season while they wait for KG and Allen to retire, clearing up the much needed cap space, and wait to rebuild next year. But you have to look at the landscape in the Eastern conference and ask yourself if in reality Boston has a legit chance of being a contender for the Eastern Conference title.

The Celtics payroll currently sits at just over $64 million, which doesn’t seem so bad right? Not so fast — with all the “cap holds” on the roster, their cap number is more like $80 million. Kevin Garnett is the last year of his max offer, which means he is on the books for $21.2 million. Ray Allen is on there for $10 million, and someone is going to put an offer sheet in front of Jeff Green for four-years and $40M just to try and stretch the Celtics even more financially (I sure as hell would). I wrote yesterday before the Chris Paul-wait-not-so-fast trade almost went through that Boston might be better off abandoning the idea of acquiring Chris Paul, and making their move to be legit contender next year.

By all accounts, the relationship between Durant and Westbrook ain’t exactly peas and carrots the way it used to be. Westbrook is a legit combo guard who wants his share of the rock, which isn’t going to happen so long as Durant is in OKC.

However, there is one trade that Boston could make this season with an eye towards the next three. Rajon Rondo for Russell Westbrook and and maybe even a 2013 pick for Nazr Mohammed.

The reality is that Danny Ainge hasn’t made many ingenious moves during his reign as GM as the Boston Celtics (getting your friend to hand over Kevin Garnett for what turned into Jonny Flynn (Boston’s 2009 first round pick), Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, and cash considerations is not a genius move, it’s called a favor). I was with him on the Allen trade, only because Ray Allen might be one of my favorite players of all time, and anytime you can get Jesus Shuttlesworth back on your team, I’m down. Ainge gave the full mid-level to an injury prone Jermaine O’Neal last season, and then pulled off the most mind-boggling of trades of all time, dealing away Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green — a move which I hated at the time and still hate, despite the fact that Green is very solid player. But you don’t trade away your starting center and anchor of your defense right before the playoffs. Even a 12 year-old playing NBA 2K12 knows that (because it effects the team chemistry meter).

Steve Mitchell-US Presswire

So why am I suggesting Danny go back to Sam Presti — the same Sam Presti who essentially took him to the wood shed last March — and try and swing a trade? Because I have a sneaking suspicion that Presti has a bigger problem on his hands than he knows. By all accounts, the relationship between Kevin Durant and Russ Westbrook ain’t exactly peas and carrots the way it used to be. Westbrook is a legit combo guard who wants his share of the rock, which isn’t going to happen so long as Durant is in OKC. Meanwhile, the knocks on Rondo will always be the same: he is stubborn, feuds with coaches, and still hasn’t picked up a mid-range game. But on the upside, Rondo is under contract until 2015 and due roughly $46 million — which will be a far friendlier number than Westbrook will demand next season. In this proposed deal, there would be a cap difference with the acquisition of Rondo, which would come to roughly $1.2 million in positive salary. This would give the Thunder some wiggle room to upgrade their roster, while Rondo gets reunited with his best friend in the league (Kendrick Perkins), and gets to stay in his natural drive-and-dish role.

In return, the Celtics get a leg up on rebuilding process with Westbrook, a good defender who can fill it up from almost anywhere on the court. And let’s face it, he would feast on the Eastern Conference point guards — including Derrick Rose. In 2013 Westbrook is a restricted free agent, and as far as we know, hasn’t been invited to any weddings where he has given toasts about lusting to play in Madison Square Garden. I’m pretty sure he could handle the scrutiny of Boston, and moving forward the Celtics would would possess a real chip to build around. Ainge mortgaged the Celtics’ future for a potential three-peat from 2007-2010. Had KG not gone down with a knee injury right before the 2009 playoffs, Celtics and Lakers fans would have probably witnessed another epic finals matchup in consecutive years. But now Boston needs to rebuild, and moving Rondo for Westbrook is the most logical move for the present and the future.

This week’s NFL picks (picks in CAPS)…
Last Week: 8-7
Season record: 47-52-1