Things aren't looking very good for the Celtics these days, and, as Ainge has stated, if things don't turn around quickly, the roster will probably be reordered. I'm still holding out hope that if Howard isn't traded, the Celts can somehow pick him up as a free agent. But I'm also prepared for him to sign elsewhere, maybe Dallas. So here's a 2012 offseason Plan B:

By the 2012 trade deadline-

Pierce, Bass and Dooling to Atlanta for Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich (expiring)

Ray Allen to somebody for a 2012 1st round pick - this can be done if he's sent to a team that's under the cap or if he's sent to a team that's over the cap but can include an expiring contract in the deal. Could be a bubble team out there that feels adding Ray would put them over the top.

The Celts would then have 3 1st round picks. My hope is that they could trade two of them to get into the lottery for a Ray replacement, someone like Jeremy Lamb. The other, later first rounder could be traded for a future pick or used on a big man.

Even with Jeff Green back on the roster ($9 million), there would be enough money to sign Howard for about $17 million if the later first rounder is traded away. Howard and Smith are best friends.

Rondo 11 /Bradley 2.5

Lamb 5 /Moore

Green 9 /Pavlovic

Smith 12.5 /Johnson 1.5

Howard 17/Steimsma

If Howard will not be joining us, then his money could be spent on a couple free agents, O.J. Mayo ($8 million) and Spencer Hawes ($7.5?). Philadelphia has a good young center, Nikola Vucevic. Maybe they won't want to overpay Hawes to stick around. I'm not a huge Spencer Hawes fan but he's 7'0 and skilled enough.

Rondo 11 /Bradley 2.5

Mayo 8 /Lamb 5

Green 9 /Pavlovic

Smith 12.5 /Johnson 1.5

Hawes 7.5 /Steimsma/late 1st round pick 1.5

This is not a bad team. I think it's as good a lineup as the Pacers and 76ers have right now and if all these guys are on reasonable contracts for what they bring to the table, the Celts would be in a place where they're one trade away from contending, like when the Lakers dealt for Pau Gasol.