There's a rumor of talks involving Pierce to Cleveland for two second-round picks. There's also a rumor of talks about Cleveland taking back Shawn Marion's contract, so they can move up to #13, where sources say they are interested in taking Sergey Karasev.
So, what about this idea, assuming Doc and KG are back. It would have to wait until July to be official, so the teams would be drafting players for other teams, then waiting for the July Moratorium to pass.
Cavs get: Paul Pierce, #13
Mavs get: #31, #33, neither of which have cap holds, plus a trade exception they would renounce if they signed free agents
Celtics get: Shawn Marion, #19, a trade exception of approximately $6m, which they might not use to stay under the apron and eligible to do a sign-and-trade and use the full MLE
The Celtics get to firmly ensconce Jeff Green at the 3 and Shawn Marion as a combo forward off the bench who is a better rebounder than Green (9.4 rebounds per 36 minutes played, the same as Garnett) and is better suited to being a non-Garnett smallball five than Bass or Sullinger. I'd expect Marion to play in the crunch-time line-up over Sullinger or Bass.
The Celtics use a trade (sign-and-trade or not) or the MLE to bring in a center, with options including Samuel Dalembert (MLE or S&T) or Spencer Hawes (trade).
I haven't crunched the numbers, but that may leave the BAE to get a veteran point guard who can start if Rondo is out at the beginning of the season, then move to a back-up role. If not, there are probably minimum-salary options out there, including dipping into the D-League talent pool.
Perhaps the Celtics would take back Alonzo Gee, who some people around here like. Perhaps, the Celtics would have to the Cavs #19 or #16 so Cleveland doesn't just trade two early seconds for Marion.
How does a team of:
Garnett, Dalembert, Melo
Sullinger, Bass
Green, Marion, Gee
Bradley, Lee, Terry
Rondo, Earl Watson?, Crawford
plus the first-round pick as best player available
The team can go big with Dalembert, Garnett, Green, Marion, Rondo or go small with Garnett, Marion, Green, Bradley/Lee/Terry, Rondo.