What realistic player(s) or package(s) would you deal Rondo for? Quick specification: I think Paul George is a good enough caliber player, with enough upside, to trade Rajon Rondo for. However, then Jeff Green comes into play. Do you trade him or play him at PF? Or do you play George at SG? If you do trade him, do the Pacers have enough to give back for both Green and Rondo in addition to George or would you have to bring in a third team? If you can't find a good deal for the two at all, and you don't want to play Green at PF or George at SG, then Paul George goes out the window as a possible exchange.
Here are my top three returns:
1) Rondo/JG/Bradley for CP3/Grant Hill; Rondo, in his current form, is far from enough to pry CP3 from LAC. However, Paul is a free agent, which poses risks for them. Rondo has a very affordable contract, which comes into play. The Jeff Green/Grant Hill swap is a monstrous win for LAC. Lastly, it looks to me like Eric Bledsoe is on the fringe of blowing up and therefore is a threat to leave because of finances. I would think Danny could coax them to take a poor man's Bledsoe in Bradley, giving them a core of Rondo/Bradley/Jeff Green/Blake/D. Jordan. I think in a few years they could certainly win a title with that, and they get to keep their picks, something that has become of huge value with today's CBA. We then get to start fresh with Chris Paul as our PG, shedding actual cap in Rondo/JG as well as a future cap hit in Bradley.
2) Rondo/JG/C. Lee for D. Howard/Earl Clark/Jodie Meeks.
3) Rondo for Greg Monroe/R. Stuckey/1st round pick; This one is more controversial. Danny said he wanted young players and picks for Rondo. This is an option that would be utilized if Pierce and Garnett quickly retire and Ainge decides to completely blow it up. If he doesn't retire, you'd trade the JET as well. Following this deal you'd have a young, solid backcourt, an excellent prospect in Monroe as well as a pretty good pick in Detroit's first rounder.
Discuss!