Bye Bye Blount!

Hello Happiness!

With Ron Artest finally on his way to Sacramento, the trade winds of the NBA finally started blowing and Danny Ainge was again at the fron of the line. Ainge finally unloaded Mark Blount, but it took Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Justin Reed and two 2nd round picks to get it done. In return the Celtics got Wally Swerviak (I am resisting learning how to spell his name as long as possible), Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones and a first round pick in 2008. I like this trade for both teams. The C's traded a few of their most turnover-prone players (Davis, Blount) along with two guys that wouldn't be on the roster next year(Banks & Reed) and two second round picks we didn't need anyway for a one time All-Star averaging 23 ppg in the last four weeks, an expiring contract and a player to be drafted later. Yes, Wally has a ridiculous contract, but the C's weren't going to be under the cap any time soon. Yes Wally's defense is suspect, but it's not like Ricky's was very good. He's given up his fair share of buckets this year, amny of them game winners(Gilbert Arenas and Jerry Stackhouse say hello). Wally will spread the floor for PP and the young 'uns(Perk and Jeff) and continue to shoot at a high percentage. We also clear up some playing time for Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes and possibly Gerald Green.

Minny didn't do too bad in this deal either. Ricky and Blount can score, Banks and Reed can be help off the bench. They need more players, plain and simple. KG needs help and he got some today. This is a trade that's good for both teams but won't put either over the top. Minny needed to make a change to their roster and Blount is as good as any free agent they would have been able to afford over the summer. For Boston, it's addition by subtraction. The team was 3-1 when Blount collected DNP's and now we'll be able to see what we have with all the young guys on our bench. Plus, we have like 5 picks in the next three drafts.

Also, reports have the Celtics signing Will Bynum to fill in their final roster slot.

The C's host the Kings (and Ron Artest) tonight. Wally's wife is due sometime in the next day or so, so his first game with the team figures to be Monday, when the Celtics travel to...Minnesota.