How does this suggestion make us better?
We're trading our starting point guard for a second small forward, which doesn't seem to help our roster balance any.
So when I come up with a trade idea, I always think: what would get us closest to title contention fastest. The recipe for title contention seems to be: three great players, and at least two of the following: (a) great defense; (b) an amazing rookie; (c) a terrific bench.
Rondo is not a part of that calculus, for us - because he will depart in free agency anyway. We have too many players, and will soon have to consolidate: many so-so players and draft picks for one much better player. Deng and Henson help us with (c) insofar as they provide a better bench.
We can't field a team with Olynyk, Sullinger, Zeller, Smart, Bradley, Green and Young and really do anything. Of those, only Smart and Young really have potential to be great players. And they won't do that unless they are surrounded by some smart veterans. It's no accident that players without role models early in their careers don't end up being successful players: Pervis Ellison never really played with anyone good; Derrick Coleman learned at the heels of Mookie Blaylock, and the "technician" Jed Bueschler.
None of our guys will develop without leadership (which Walter McCarty is not going to provide). And Jeff Green is not going to develop. He is the player he is: wildly inconsistent.
Deng is more than just an "asset" he's a guy who knows how to play. And - he's a guy other guys want to play with. If you want to Joakim Noah - you've got a way better shot with Deng on the team. A long range plan requires guidance for the youngsters.
There's no evidence Rondo is leaving.
Ellison was a good player with serious injury issues. Did you ever see him play?
Also, the younger players frequently talk about Rondo being a leader and mentoring them.
There are many media stories suggesting he will depart. The Celtics are not going to be good for a long time. The window on his career is closing. He is unlikely to get a max deal from the C's, will test the waters, and will have to end up somewhere paying him more. So - no - there
is evidence he is leaving - or at least there is evidence sufficient to generate speculation as to what would happen if he left. ....moreover, this is a forum to discuss the Boston Celtics. If you disagree with a fundamental premise of the post that I - the amazing Jaketwice - created, then do not post in my thread - seems pointless to fight they hypo though, doesn't it?
With that, I think your suggestions that Rondo is mentoring the younger players are irrelevant. Or rather, that they are irrelevant
except to the extent that they appear to tacitly support the premise that younger players should play with quality veterans so as to learn good habits. Pervis Ellison is not the point (and yes I did see him play) the point is the general premise (with which you appear to agree) that it is better for talent to be surrounded by veteran leadership.
As this is hardly a novel, or even very interesting point - I would be surprised if you disagreed.
Assuming Rondo is leaving (and it is fair to assume he is) we should move him before that happens. In exchange, we will not receive
as good a player. So who would be a good player? What would be a fit?
I say, Deng and another young player is probably as good a replacement as we can get under the circumstances.