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E’Twaun Moore entered the 2012 Orlando Summer League on the hot seat; there were plenty of questions swirling as to whether his non-guaranteed contract would be picked up by our Boston Celtics.  And while we’ve still got a ways to go before that actually happens, it is looking more and more like it’s harder to ignore Moore.  One half of the Purduo – JaJuan Johnson being the other – Moore has had a great week in Orlando, punctuated by an 18-point outburst on Friday (on 6-of-10 shooting), to go along with two assists and three steals in 21:53 of action.

The problem with Moore is that he’s solid but not spectacular.  He simply goes about his business in workmanlike fashion; there’s nothing flashy, and nothing that really stands out about his game.  And he’s received a constant stream of criticism about his ball handling skills.  Moore is considered a point guard in this league, but he continues to take hits for his limitations at this position.  None of this seems to phase the second year play-maker.  And while he may not be flashy, he also doesn’t make the mistakes that usually go along with a more risky playing style.

From where I’m sitting, Danny Ainge will pick up that second year of Moore’s contract.  But he’s the kind of player that I can also see Ainge packaging in a trade, either before the season in an effort to land Courtney Lee or O.J. Mayo, or before the trade deadline.  I love Moore’s attitude and I appreciate his game, and I hope he stays in the fold, but I just can’t see it happening for long.  A trade wouldn’t diminish Moore’s progress or tarnish his game.  Moore has simply become hard to ignore, and it’s clear that he has the game to play in this league for a long time to come.