The NBA lockout has given teams extra time to ponder their options - both for the coming season and the one that follows it. With a number of star names set to become free agents in 2012, planning for the future must start now.
For the Boston Celtics, the championship window has been steadily closing over the past three seasons. A veteran core, which won a title in 2008, has become more injury prone and in need of fewer minutes on the court. But the Celtics must avoid the temptation to part company with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, who can both walk away for nothing in 2012.
Boston GM Danny Ainge has suggested that he will listen to offers for any player on the roster - probably in the hope of landing a young, athletic piece for the future. But Garnett and Allen, together with Paul Pierce, have at least one more championship run left in their Hall of Fame careers. Sure, they won't play 40+ minutes a night anymore but this trio has an abundance of playoff experience and the hunger to fight the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat again in 2011/12.
Allen's shooting - especially from 3-point land - has shown no signs of slumping. He shot a whopping 44% from downtown last season while his overall field goal percentage was just under 50% on the way to 16.5 points a night. Garnett, meanwhile, averaged around 15 points and nine rebounds a night while anchoring the famously stingy Celtics defense. Despite injury concerns, he has played 140 games across the past two regular seasons.
Boston will not get fair trade value for these two veterans this summer and neither has hinted at wanting a move away from Beantown. Therefore, the best option for the Celtics is to stick with the 'Big Three' for one more championship run and trust that the team's experience is enough to overcome the youth and athleticism showcased by the Bulls and Heat.
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