The news came by halftime of Sunday's game between the Celtics and Heat and Celtics fans had to think the season was over. Rajon Rondo the team's most important player has a torn ACL and will be out for the rest of the season.  The one player that Celtics could not afford to lose they lost and now they must put that behind them and finish out the year.

Right now they currently hold the 8th spot in the playoffs thanks to a 6 game losing streak.  I still expect them to make the playoffs and still expect them to win a few games maybe even a series but Celtics fans must tamper expectations now.  What was thought to be 1 last title run (I know you hear it every year with this group) might have to wait another year or is it really over.  I am going to disect the currrent Celtics team and what they could do to make a trade and still compete for an NBA title.

Untouchables: Obviously Rondo is untouchable at this point but I also would like to think that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are untoucable here as well.  I heard there are rumors going around about Pierce for Rudy Gay but that just doesn't make sense.  Pierce is the heart and soul of this franchise and has been loyal to the Celtics throughout his career and  has choosen to stay with the Celtics when he could have left. Kevin Garnett will not be traded so I am not going to get into that.

Assets: Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Courtney Lee, Fab Melo, Avrey Bradley, Chris Wilcox

Jeff Green - I like Green's ability especially when he asserts himself and looks to score. He still has a world of potential but has 2 years remaining and then a player option.  

Avrey Bradley - Bradley is probably their best trade chip but I dont know how likely they will be to trade him especially being down a man in the backcourt.  Bradley is an elite on ball defender and has a very reasonable contract if they did look to trade him.

Jared Sullinger - This year's first round pick Sullinger slipped because of potential back injuries but has been great.  He is a great rebounder but needs to stay out of foul trouble because he has fouled out of 6 games already.

Fab Melo - Celtics fans have not seen him for the Celtics this year but he is drawing rave reviews from his time with the Maine Red Claws.  He is rebounding and blocking shots at a high rate but is still a project. He would probably need to be included in a deal for a legit point guard.

Courtney Lee - Lee is an intriguing but he is signed for four years.  He is a good defender and pretty good shooter but not sure if teams looking to shed cap space will have the room for him.

Chris Wilcox - Wilcox is on the last year of his contract which makes him intriging for teams.  He is one of the few healthy big guys for the Celtics right now so it would have to take a good offer to give him up.

Potential Targets - Jose Calderon, Kyle Lowry

These two I keep hearing about are on a bad team (Toronto) that might be willing to part with them for the right combination of draft picks and prospects. If I had to pick I'd take Lowry as he is more atheltic and is a better scorer than Calderon.  Calderon is more of a traditional point guard who gets his teamates involved and doens't shoot much.  I think it would take more to get Lowry.

Trade Idea - Celtics give Tornoto Fab Melo and a First Round Pick for Kyle Lowry.