Saturday, December 15 is an important day in NBA circles. Dec. 15 is the first day players who signed new contracts in July can be traded. According to ESPN's Weekend Dime, 108 players fit into this category of players who were previously off-limits and are now eligible to be traded. According to Marc Stein, Courtney Lee is one of three players whose names have repeatedly shown up in rumors as being available.

In terms of those 108 offseason signees who become trade-eligible Saturday, at least three names are coming up repeatedly on the personnel grapevine: Indiana's D.J. Augustin, Phoenix's Michael Beasley and Boston's Courtney Lee. There's a reason for that, though: All three are seriously struggling.

Lee has been struggling, but we have seen signs that he is making progress in finding his role and he has been improving. If he could get back to the point where his 3's are falling as they have in the past and where his defense is as sharp as it was previously, he would be a big weapon to have off the bench for the Celtics. But, that's a big if, because if he can't, the Celtics have other shooting guards to fill that position quite well and they have needs that perhaps he could bring in trade.

Some of the names mentioned that are available are Pau Gasol (NO, Thankyou), Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Anderson Varejao, Big Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Luke Ridnour, and JJ Barea. The Celtics could use a pure point guard to back up Rondo and they could also use a defensive center/rebounder. But, they need bargains and can't go above the tax apron, which they are very close to right now. So, options are limited. Without doubt, there will be others available who don't quite fit with their current teams and who might be a fit for the Celtics.

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