Celtics Central

I just put this up over at Celticsblog.com.

For those who don’t know, I have been tenaciousT on the boards. That will change soon.

Here is my story at C-Blog...

The Boston Celtics are currently in the ‘lead position’ in negotiations with the Portland Trailblazers for Rudy Fernandez, according to a source. They have been in serious discussions since yesterday.

Other teams interested include New York and Chicago, but the Celtics are apparently getting the first shot, thus allowing one to assume they are a preferred destination, either in terms of desirability for Rudy or trading pieces for the Blazers.

Check it out.

It seems as if there might be more players involved and the Celtics need another big man. This could be where the Rasheed Wallace contract ends being used to acquire 2 pieces at once.

Danny Ainge has liked 7’1″  Joel Pryzbilla in the past. He is coming off an injury, and is set to make $7.4 million (last year of contract)  this season. He is the most likely candidate in my opinion. Coach McMillan said he might be ready to start playing by the exhibition season, instead of December, as previously expected. Still, Joel is coming off multiple knee surgeries, so it is uncertain how long it will be before he is fully mobile and up to full strength.

In spite of his fragility, I doubt the Blazers will do something with Greg Oden after drafting him number one. He still has huge upside potential. He is not going anywhere for an expiring Wallace contract. LeMarcus Aldridge is going nowhere. To even attempt to get Oden the Cs would have to be offering Kendrick Perkins and I don’t know what else. Don’t expect that to be happening.

What would Portland be looking for in a trade?

Well, it appears they want a first round draft pick according to this tweet from Alan Hahn in Portland’s dealings with the Knicks recently regarding Rudy…

Source tells Newsday the Knicks have nothing Blazers want to make trade for Rudy Fernandez. POR wants 1st rnder. NY can’t offer until 2014.

The Blazers and Celtics are possibly discussing a multiple player trade. That would return to the idea of getting a big man for the Celtics as well.

Stay tuned.

The Celtics don’t have one this season but could offer next year’s pick which one would assume be somewhere in the mid 20s. If a pick