Trades that "almost" happened really aren't all that newsworthy. Because there are lots of trades that almost happen. But what makes this scenario a bit more interesting is that it sounds like Danny Ainge really was within a heartbeat of breaking up Boston's Big Three. Via Yahoo! Sports:

As the NBA trade deadline lurched into its final hour a month ago, league sources say the call Ray Allen long feared had come: Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was on the line, telling him he had been traded. Allen had been sent to the Memphis Grizzlies for a package including O.J. Mayo and a draft pick, and the Celtics' Big Three had come to a most brusque ending.

[...]

Before the Big Three could make it past the trade deadline, Allen-to-the-Grizzlies had to fall apart and discussions on a deal that would have sent Paul Pierce to the New Jersey Nets for an expiring Mehmet Okur contract and a lottery pick never reached completion, league sources said.

What made Ainge change his mind? Who knows. Maybe it was a big Celtic win that convinced him this roster had some fight left. Maybe he just decided now wasn't the time to blow it all up. But for whatever reason, the Celtics as constructed stayed together.

And wouldn't you know it, they turned things around. The Celtics have risen to No. 4 in the East and not just that, shown that they're to be taken seriously in the Eastern playoffs. They probably aren't a true Finals contender, but the Celtics are certainly play tough and playing well.

A deal that sent Pierce to New Jersey would've obviously been a move to open up cap space for the future along with getting a pick. Instead, the Nets pulled that same deal but with the Blazers for Gerald Wallace.

Allen is on an expiring deal and doesn't have a whole lot of time left, so Mayo and a pick would've been quality value in return for him. In all honesty, if Ainge had decided to start over and plan for the summer, those two trades would've been a good start.

Instead, he decided to give it one more run.