I've stated a thousand times (now a thousand +1) that the Celtics need to maximize the size of their championship window. As it stands right now, they have two, maybe three years to realistically compete for a championship. So, I am going to play GM for a few minutes, and give you the trades that I would make between now and June 25th.

The Trade

Trade Ray Allen and Kendrick Perkins to the Phoenix Suns for Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa

Yes, there is cause for concern revolving around Amare Stoudemire. One is the fact that he is still recovering from surgery from a detached retina suffered last season. Two, his contract is up at the end of the 2010/11 season. Regardless, Amare is one of those talents that an expiring deal like Ray Allen's should be used to acquire. Barbosa is a career 47% shooter, and could be used at the 2 as a starter, or brought off the bench as 6th man if Ainge were to acquire another SG in free agency. Phoenix gets a huge expiring deal, keeps their 1st round pick, and adds a solid C to man the middle for the departing (most likely) Shaquille Oneal.

I hate losing Perk, but if you can use him and Ray to get Amare, you do it. And, in this scenario, the Celtics get to keep Rondo, and slide KG/Amare to the 5. This results in a lineup looking like this (I'm making some assumptions):

PG - Rondo/Marbury/Pruitt

SG - FA/Leandro Barbosa/Giddens

SF - Pierce/Walker/FA

PF - KG/Amare

C - Amare/KG/FA

That's a championship quality starting five. And, depending on what free agents Ainge can sign, could contend far beyond their current window of opportunity. One big issue would be re-signing Stoudemire (and teaching the guy some defense), but I have no doubt that one, if not both, could happen.