By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

The All Star Break is almost here and no team in the NBA could use the break as much as the Celtics.  Injuries and a slump since Christmas are reason enough for Celtics fans to be thankful the break is finally here.  Boston has gone 9-13 since a win over the Orlando Magic on Christmas gave them a 23-5 record.  Instead of using that game as a springboard they have gone backwards.

Injuries have been a part of it as Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels, and Ray Allen have all missed games due to injury during this stretch.  But even when the team has had most of its main parts, they just haven’t been consistent.  The rock solid defense of the 2008 championship team hasn’t been there.  The Celtics also have been running out of gas at the end of games.  In recent games against some of the best teams in the league the Celtics have built up double digit leads only to see them slip away in the 4^th Quarter.

So what’s the solution?  There have been trade rumors floating around.  The Celtics that have been put on the trading block seem to be Ray Allen and Glen Davis.  Allen could be attractive to a lot of teams because of his large contract that expires at the end of this season.  Danny Ainge has said he doesn’t want to blow this team up.  But he also has expressed that if there is a trade that presents itself and it improves the team he would make it.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Allen is moved by the trade deadline which is February 18.  Sacramento’s Kevin Martin has emerged as a possible player in an Allen trade.  He’s a terrific scorer and might be worth a look.  A Davis for D.J Augustin trade with Chalotte has also been rumored.  The Celtics could definitely use a back-up point guard so this would be another deal Ainge would have to consider.  Kirk Hinrich’s name has also come up as a possible player Boston would consider trading for.

Ainge has just over a week to work the phones and see what he can come up with.  Celtics fans shouldn’t expect a blockbuster deal.  But don’t be surprised if Ainge pulls the trigger on something.

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