Apr 12, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon (10) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

There is a rumor going around that the Boston Celtics could be looking to trade for  the New Orleans Pelicans swingman Eric Gordon according to Michael McNamara of ESPN’s Truehoop blog Bourbon Street Shots.

Just heard strange rumor from EC source: Celtics talking about possibility of Pierce and Bradley for Eric Gordon.

— Michael McNamara (@McNamara247) May 21, 2013

Keep in mind that EC stands for Eastern Conference here. So the source is closer to the Celtics than the Pelicans. If the trade does go down, the Celtics would have moved Pierce’s contract and Avery Bradley for a swingman coming off of an ankle injury.

Gordon has only played in 51 games in the past two seasons, but many believe that is because he didn’t want to play for the Hornets. If there is any truth to that, the Celtics could get some value in Gordon.

Gordon’s best season was his third year with the Clippers. He averaged 22.3 points on 45% shooting. He also shot 36% from three that year–just near the league average.

Gordon would insert some much needed offense for a team sorely lacking just that.

They’d miss Avery Bradley’s defense on the perimeter, though. Bradley was easily the best perimeter defender for the Celtics this season. Once he made his return, he took what was a bottom 10 defense and turned it into a top 10 defense. The Celtics allow 1.9 less points with him on the court.

We also have to remember Bradley was coming off of shoulder surgery to start the season. He has an injury history, too. So if this deal does manifest, its likely that Bradley will not be the only thing leaving the Celtics.

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jeff Green (8) reacts after a play against he New York Knicks in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 88-80. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Dear Jeff,

Its been a long time coming. I remember when you first joined the Celtics–I wondered why? What could you bring to the table that was more essential than what Kendrick Perkins was already bringing? An inside presence, a  defensive force, great team chemistry. When you came, we were all in shock. We had no clue that the Celtics were even eyeing you.

Now, today, when I look back on that trade, I think we won. We got the best player out of the deal at a discounted price. Instead of paying Perkins to sit in the middle, we have you to slash the paint up.

What you bring to the table is essential in today’s NBA. Everyone needs a small ball four and a slashing three. Your awareness of the floor is immaculate–the way that you use the spacing is special. In this league that is essential.

I  know you started off slowly, but you stuck with us and we stuck with you. That slow start turned into a relative comfort and that comfort turned into an unquestionable feeling for the game. Your efficiency near the end of the season knew no bounds. It was like we got a completely different Jeff Green than we extended in the offseason.

I don’t know what happened with your performances at the beginning of the season and I also don’t care. I know what we got at the end of the season was a stamp to include you in the future plans of the organization.

Now if we can bring the same style and pace of basketball to the floor next season with Rajon Rondo on the floor, I’m sure the Celtics will be a force to be reckoned with in the break.

You are the athlete that we’ve been looking for. That change of pace from old and methodical to youthful, fast and chaotic.

Yes, that means that you have a lot of learning to do but we have three years left to watch you grow and mature. Hopefully we see that left hand develop and that corner three ball keep constant improvement.

We should see you learn how to guard the power forward position while attacking crossmatches consistently on the other end.

I have a lot of hope for you, Jeff. You were the best player in the playoff series against the New York Knicks. Your end-of-season splits are phenomenal–they let us know that someone is home.

We’re extremely proud of you for going through that surgery and returning to play. We will wish you the best in the future no matter what it holds. This season put you in the hearts and minds of Celtics’ fans–hopefully you keep yourself there.

Apr 23, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) shoots a free throw against the New York Knicks during game two in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Pierce is apparently preparing to relocate from Boston according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

Danny Ainge spoke a bit on Pierce’s situation with the Boston Celtics a week ago in an interview with WEEI radio in Boston. It sounded like Ainge was finally ready to part ways with Pierce. Pierce also seems to think that his time in Boston is up as well. This reported move Pierce made, according to Gary Washburn, makes it seem like its almost inevitable at this point.

The Celtics would have to buy Pierce’s contract out by June 30  once the new calendar year starts for the season. They can buy him out at $5 million instead of having to pay him at a figure slightly over $15 million to keep him on the team next season.

The Celtics will either trade him or buy his contract out if they choose to part ways with the Celtic legend.

Here’s what Ainge had to say about Pierce:

“Paul’s always battling little things. I think Paul’s healthy, but he played so hard and carried such a heavy load….Paul had a terrific year this year, but in the playoffs, New York did a good job of taking away his strengths and taking advantage of some of our weaknesses. But I thought Paul had a terrific year.”

That statement suggests that Ainge thinks that Pierce’s time with this team is done. He is no longer the team’s best player, but this past season he had to take on the burden that a team’s best player would’ve had to bear.

While I don’t think that’s a fair analysis of Pierce’s last moments as a Celtic, it is valid. This is a flawed team–one that needs to be rebuilt. The Knicks didn’t only take away Pierce’s strengths–they also took away the team’s strengths. They couldn’t score at all and that isn’t an indictment on only Pierce.

At the same time, Danny has to prepare for life after Pierce and Garnett. He has to rebuild this team in a way that it can function even if Rondo isn’t playing. He has one of the best coaches in the league and is looking to move in another direction.

This happens to all great players at some point. They don’t always finish playing for one team–and when they do, the separation can sometimes be ugly. I don’t like the way this situation is being handled, but we all have to accept it. If this is the direction that Ainge feels the team should go in, we have to ride with him.