Amid the announcement the Celtic's deal for David West fell through- inducing a sense of dread surrounding the Celtics' prospects for the current season- and knowing the Celtics have limited trade assets with which to work, perhaps one drastic move is left in Ainge's repertoire. It is not without its potential downsides, but the overall benefits of the trade could outweigh the costs. The Phoenix Suns trade Steve Nash and Marcin Gortat for Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal and the Clippers protected 1st round pick.

Phoenix has incentive to acquire a younger all-star caliber player (Rondo) in light of their current circumstances. Nash is their franchise player, he in the last year of his contract, which is comparable to Rajon's, and barring some unforeseen, blockbuster trade, Nash may ask to be traded to a team in contention anyway, in lieu of a re-tread of the Suns' last season.

Nash is 37, he has had back issues, and he takes a lot off of the table defensively. However, his overall play reamins at an elite level even at his- forgive the colorful euphemism- experienced age. His passing in top tier, his outside and free-throw shooting abilities would spread the floor and create nightmares for opposing defenses. The offensive skill set he could bring to the table would, in many ways, potentially compensate for his defensive insufficiencies.

Jermaine O'Neal could be amnestied, saving the suns cap room, Rondo could be a nice piece to start a rebuilding process and the Celtics would get at least a year's shot with Nash, in addition to a legitimate starting center in Gortat. Even if it were for a year, that would be a phenomenal starting 5 to contend in the Eastern conference. If they come up short, three players come off of the Celtics pay-roll (Allen, Garnett, and Nash), the Celtics have an excellent, low-cost center, and the rebuilding process begins regardless. If anything, it would make for a compelling sports narrative (the older, 2 time MVP Nash in his one last shot at a ring, the big three in one last attempt to solidify their legacies) It would be one hell of an entertaining season to say the least.

There are obvious pros and cons to this trade scenario, I would be interested in everyone's feedback, especially its feasibility (would Phoenix trade its franchise player?) Sentimental attachments to Rondo aside.