Danny Ainge is known to try all kinds of deals, saying he'll do anything to make his team better. But this one would have been pretty crazy.
Ray Allen told the Miami Herald that Ainge was trying to deal him and point guard Rajon Rondo to the Phoenix Suns in 2009, a deal that would have changed the Boston franchise dramatically had it gone through.
The former Celtic told the Miami Herald that the proposed trade would have sent him and Rondo to Phoenix for Amar'e Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa and the 14th overall pick in that years' draft.
The Suns may have been interested in trying to unload Stoudemire due to the All-Star's contract ending after the 2009-10 season.
Allen said he was told that the reason for the possible trade was because Rondo "didn't get along" with Ainge and Celtics coach Doc Rivers. Allen said he encouraged Rondo to work out those differences, and the trade ended up not going through, although specific reasons why were not given.
Rondo has since become the key piece of the Celtics' attack, including Boston's trip to the Eastern Conference finals last season. Allen left the team this spring, and one of the reasons he gave for going was that he didn't feel wanted after management tried to trade him several times.
Stoudemire has since moved on to the Knicks, and Barbosa, interestingly, is now a Celtic after signing a one-year deal with the team.
