The NBA's Feb. 19 trade deadline is nearing, and with five contributing Celtics having expiring contracts, it's safe to assume rumors will be popping up every other day.
The first comes from CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely, who reports (via league sources) that the Warriors are "giving some thought" into packaging Monta Ellis in a deal for Ray Allen.
With Allen making $18.8 million this season and Ellis making $11 million, the Warriors would have to include another player. Using the trustworthy NBA Trade Machine, Vladimir Radmonovic can fill that spot. If the Warriors were to make that move, they'd free their two highest contracts and take in Allen's expiring deal. Blakely notes that the team became convinced that rookie Stephen Curry can handle himself and carry the team after he impressed them in Ellis' absence this week.
The Celtics have not expressed any interest in trading Allen — who scored in double-digits on Monday night for just the second time in the last five games — but that hasn't stopped his name from being thrown around in trade conversations since the preseason.
Ellis, 24, has averaged 17.5 points and 3.8 assists per game in his five seasons with the Warriors.
