Report: NBA teams calling Celtics about Jason Terry’s availability in trade

With the NBA trade deadline now 20 days away, teams are calling the Boston Celtics to inquire about guard Jason Terry’s availability, according to CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger.

The Celtics could move Terry, a 35-year-old guard who signed a three-year, $15.68-million deal in the offseason, in order to get under the luxury tax — they are currently $1.5 million over the tax line of $70.3 million, according to Berger.

Previous trade speculation around the team primarily focused on stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who Boston could unload should it transition into rebuilding mode after point guard Rajon Rondo’s season-ending ACL tear. If general manager Danny Ainge wanted to instead acquire veteran help for another title run, he lost a valuable trade chip on Friday in rookie forward Jared Sullinger, who underwent season-ending back surgery.

With injuries mounting, teams have begun inquiring whether Boston is willing to trade Jason Terry to get under luxury tax, sources say.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 01, 2013

The Celtics are $1.5M over the tax line and need to make some decisions before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 01, 2013

Terry has established himself as one of the league’s top sixth men, with averages of 15.9 points and 4.9 assists per game over his 14-year career.

But Terry has struggled this season after eight years in Dallas, averaging just 10 points on 42.9-percent shooting, his lowest percentage since his rookie year, and the Celtics have not yet shown a “strong appetite” to deal, Berger wrote.

Thus far, the Celtics remain in wait-and-see mode and have not indicated a strong appetite to deal.—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 01, 2013

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feburary 21 at 3:00 p.m.