Celtics have several options when it comes to staying competitive

Following three consecutive losses to three contending teams (Orlando, Atlanta, and the Lakers), there has been no shortage of articles written about what is wrong with the Boston Celtics. Rather than waste another 500 words breaking down Kevin Garnett’s knee, Ray Allen’s age and Rasheed Wallace’s apparent fear of playing in the paint, let’s take a look at what Danny Ainge and company can do to fix the Celtics and do it in time for the Green to contend this June.In years past, the Green have not needed Ainge to make a move to contend. The acquisitions of Sam Cassell and Stephon Marbury were simply nice additions; a case of the rich getting richer. Currently, this Celtics bench is not good enough to win a championship. Eddie House is one-dimensional, Glen Davis has ostensibly regressed, and Wallace has been a total disappointment. One seemingly available quick fix is the Knicks’ Nate Robinson. Robinson, while an electric scorer, is also a locker room headache. While he may not be an ideal fit, he gives the Celtics something that they are clearly lacking: young, fresh legs ? a player who knows how to put the ball in the basket. Earlier this season, Robinson was fined $25,000 for publicly requesting a trade to the Celtics.Of course, the larger shift the Celtics may find it necessary to make is to move Allen. Allen himself told the media just last week that he would like to retire a Celtic.”Have you ever known me to worry about being in the game or playing less minutes?” he said. “I’ve always said I would love to see Tony Allen play more. I would love to see Marquis (Daniels) in there playing more minutes. I know going into next year I won’t make the money I’m making now. I know that. I’m ready to be here. I’d love to retire with this organization.”That’s up to the team, but I want to be here. This team has proven over decades to be a winner in sports. I’m committed to it, and that’s what I would like to do.”Ray Allen, while still a good player, has fallen on hard times, and while the Celtics would like to keep him around, his expiring max contract may be too tempting for Ainge not to move.There is one much more appealing option for the Green; that is to close their eyes and pray for health. The fact remains that the Celtics are yet to play with their full complement of players, and with Daniels on his way back, that could come sooner rather than later. Nobody ever said that creating a championship team was an easy task, and even more difficult is keeping that team on top.