Rondo and three firsts for Harden.

[NYDan]

I'll pass -- regardless on the number of picks.  This season my opinion of Harden took a hit.  I see him as just a guy that shoots, a lot.  No Defense.  so-so ball handler.  doesn't really improve this teammates.  didn't exactly step up big in the playoffs.

A year ago I'd have swapped Harden and Rondo for a pick but now I'm not so sure.  as for someone's argument that Harden will attract more FAs than Rondo, that's so off base.  Players want to play with a guy who'll get them a ball, not a guy that's going to chuck up a bunch of shots and play toreador on D.

This is how I feel as well. Watched a lot of Harden this year for fantasy reasons, he won me games but was a hard player to root for on the court. Not sure he fits in with the defensive mentality the Celtics are trying to build.

[chambers]

This is an absolute no brainer if you're the Celtics.
Why? Because you're getting the best player in the deal locked up for 3 seasons for an expiring contract/ soon to be free agent.
James Harden locked up for 3 seasons?
For Rondo and potentially a top 10 pick next season + a clippers pick in the late first round and a brooklyn pick?

Ainge would be fired for turning that down- its a plain and simple EXTREMELY positive business outcome to land a top 15 player. You're giving up your expiring point guard, coming off knee surgery at his lowest possible trade value for a guaranteed 3 seasons of a top 15 NBA player.
You've got the free agent class of 2015-16 coming up and you've just signed an incredible NBA prospect with the 6th pick and a starting caliber NBA power forward in Jarred Sullinger.
You've still got your 2016 pick, 2 Brooklyn picks and Avery Bradley, Olynyk and Sully, Young as a nice locked in assets too.

I think houston hangs up the phone, but Yes would do the deal in a heartbeat.

[boscel33]

 I do think it's very interesting, Rondo, Carmelo, And Dwight Howard. That's a pretty fun team to build around if your Morey and you could easily make a mini dynasty if they can stay healthy. If was Morey would I give up Harden for Rondo+ 2 picks. No. Rondo+3 Picks. Maybe, if I know I Can get Melo as well.

 We could do  a Brooklyn pick, Clippers pick, and ours 2016, Is that a lot. Yes. Can we afford it. Yes.
 But that would speed up are rebuild real fast. And suddenly we are a Center away from being a real threat moving forward.

I didn't want to give up three for Love, no way I give up three for Harden.  Pass!

[danglertx]

This is an absolute no brainer if you're the Celtics.

I guess I have no brain, because no way would I do that if I were Ainge.  Not a fan of Harden in the least.  I'd hang on to my three firsts and use them on someone else or take my chances in the draft.

[wiley]

So, Harden disappears against the Heat when he was in the finals against them with Ok. City.  And Rondo gives the Heat fits.  So trade Rondo and Three firsts for him.   

[SparzWizard]

I think if we are ever trading Rondo, we gonna have to package Gerald Wallace too and give them his contract lol.

[ram]

So, Harden disappears against the Heat when he was in the finals against them with Ok. City.
---------------------------------
Before disappearing, he crapped his pants.  He was so nervous he was useless.  Not my kind of player.

[pearljammer10]

This is an absolute no brainer if you're the Celtics.

I guess I have no brain, because no way would I do that if I were Ainge.  Not a fan of Harden in the least.  I'd hang on to my three firsts and use them on someone else or take my chances in the draft.

I guess I dont either... Im a huge Harden fan. And I still wouldn't do this deal. No way.

[Hawkeye199]

I just told my my father  that the deal happened.... he literally passed out.

[Vox_Populi]

Harden is elite offensively, and he used to be a good defender. As soon as he moved to Houston, he completely gave up. I wouldn't mind giving Rondo up for him, since this is one of the few Rondo trade propsoals that nets us a star, but 3 picks is probably too much.

[gpap]

Harden is elite offensively, and he used to be a good defender. As soon as he moved to Houston, he completely gave up. I wouldn't mind giving Rondo up for him, since this is one of the few Rondo trade propsoals that nets us a star, but 3 picks is probably too much.

I don't even think the picks are necessary.

Houston is in win-now mode.

I doubt they care much about draft picks.

[mmmmm]

Two first rounders and two seconds.

I wont do any of the Brooklyn picks. Those picks are very valuable, they can have ours and the Clippers, and maybe Philly's, and the second rounders.

We need a #1 go to scorer, Harden can help but Rondo + 3 first round is WAY too much for Harden. And with his defense, you better have more defensive players on the team

This is with the assumption that Smart and Green are on the team, we'll be good defensively. Smart if Harden goes against a SG who's, well, good, Smart takes him.

One thing to bear in mind though, we don't know how good or bad Brooklyn will be in the next few years.

Some people assume they'll be bad because of their declining and injury prone players (JJ, DWill and BLopez) but we don't know that for sure.

Brooklyn could go out next summer and land Kevin Love or Lamarcus Aldridge.

Please paint me a picture showing how either of these could possibly happen.  I want to be entertained.

They aren't signing one of those guys with cap space.   What have they got to trade other than Lopez himself?