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.

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.

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) warms up before the start of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the past few NBA seasons Paul Pierce has been in numerous trade conversations. Even last season there was talk that he could be traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors.

Because the Boston Celtics’ rebuild is starting sooner rather than later, Pierce believes that his time with the Celtics has finally come to an end according to CSNNE’s sideline reporter Greg Dickerson. Here’s what Dickerson had to say:

“I don’t think they will (bring Pierce back),” Dickerson said Sunday on CSNNE. “And I know that the company that Paul Pierce hangs around in, they do not believe – and I don’t think Paul Pierce believes – that he is going to be brought back next year at $15 million.”

-Greg Dickerson

This is just speculation, at best. It has some validity to it, but Dickerson does not speak for Pierce. Until Pierce comes out and comments on the situation himself or Danny Ainge makes a move, we can only take what becomes available to us with a grain of salt.

Dickerson also went on to talk about the implications of Pierce leaving and losing Kevin Garnett in the process. Garnett, himself, said that Pierce would definitely be apart of his thought process and whether he returns or not.

These are two great players who will go down in history as some of the best players to ever play the game. Seeing this happen right before our very eyes is troublesome–this could be a very ugly divorce that breaks up the Kevin Garnett era in Celtics’ history.

Pierce is due $15 million dollars next season, but all of that contract is not fully guaranteed. He’s guaranteed about $6 million next season, so if Danny Ainge would like to buy his contract out he could definitely do so. It wouldn’t be a hefty chunk of cash that goes against the cap and it could give him more leverage in bringing in other pieces to try and move in a different direction.

Whatever happens between these two sides, we should forever cherish the time that we have been able to watch them work in harmony to bring the Celtics’ franchise success and restore the former glory that it once held for so many years.