Okay doesn’t seem to fit the common wisdom, but Mark Evans thinks that it is time for Juniper to step-up and put Nortel out of its misery.

Juniper is on a huge roll as strong IP router sales produced better than expected profits and revenue in the fourth-quarter. A few years ago, the idea of Nortel acquiring Juniper would have been plausible. Instead, Nortel squandered billions of dollars on a series of terrible deals (Anyone remember Qtera, Clarity, Broadband Networks??). Not to suggest Juniper has any interest in Nortel but Juniper’s thriving while Nortel is struggling to stay relevant. In a recent research report, CIBC World Markets analyst Steve Kamman suggests Nortel may be interested expanding its IP router portfolio by partnering or purchasing Redback Networks. Nortel could also acquire current partner Avici Systems, which is struggling to revive itself with a new CEO.