Allen to Celtics

Well we've got our first big trade of the night in the NBA Draft. Ray Allen to Boston for the #5 pick (Jeff Green), Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak.

Paul Pierce has his star player. Not exactly Kevin Garnett, but the Celtics managed to add a talented scorer and keep both Al Jefferson and Gerald Green. Having Pierce and Allen on the floor together should open up the post for Jefferson down low and Boston could even go small for stretches and play Gerald Green at the same time, which would put Jefferson with three outstanding shooters. Of course, Allen's poor defense could be a drawback, but his scoring may make up for it. There's no telling how Pierce will mesh will Allen, but this could put the Celtics on top of the Atlantic Division...not that that's saying much.

This is a questionable deal for the Sonics. Instead of pairing Durant with Allen, he'll practically be out there on his own. I'm now predicting Durant for Rookie of the Year (bold move, I know) simply because he will get a ton of shots with no other proven scorers on the roster. So with Allen gone and Rashard Lewis likely leaving, who is going to help Durant? Hard to say how Jeff Green will perform as a rookie. Chris Wilcox was solid last year, but hardly a #2 scoring option. Szczerbiak, if healthy, can knock down some open shots, but not much else. West could be the second-best scorer on that team.

Bottom line for Seattle: while Portland could make the playoffs in Oden's rookie year, Seattle will be right back in the lottery next year, though this move could pay dividends down the road if Durant and Green develop the way many scouts think they will. Of course, if the Sonics can convince Lewis to re-sign, they could fight for a playoff spot.