Analyzing the Rondo situation

[NextCeltic34]

I'm going to take a look at every team in the league and see if they could have a shot on signing Rondo. Here it is:

New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris
New York Knicks: Possible Destination
Philadelphia 76ers: Lou Williams and they probably don't have enough money
Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
Cleveland Cavaliers: Mo Williams
Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey
Indiana Pacers: TJ Ford and not enough money
Milwaukee Bucks: Possible Destination
Atlanta Hawks: Mike Bibby with Jeff Teague waiting for his chance in the future.
Charlotte Bobcats: Raymond Felton and no cap space
Miami Heat: Possible Destination
Orlando Magic: Jameer Nelson
Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas

Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd
Houston Rockets: Aaron Brooks and not enough cap space to sign Rondo for the money he'll probably want.
Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley, and no money.
New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul
San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker
Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis (but who knows with Don Nelson. Rondo could start at PF in his system.)
Los Angeles Clippers: Baron Davis
Los Angeles Lakers: No cap space
Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
Sacramento Kings: No cap space
Denver Nuggets: Chauncey Billups
Minnesota Timberwolves: Ramon Sessions and Johnny Flynn
Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook
Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Miller
Utah Jazz: Deron Williams

The List Of Possible Destinations for Rajon Rondo:
New York Knicks
Milwaukee Bucks
Miami Heat


Ok, so out of every team in the NBA, there are about 3 teams who could probably go after Rondo. Lets analyze each team...

New York Knicks
Knicks will have a ton of cap space, but there eyes are set are other things. Rondo will probably be a guy on their list, but he probably isn't one of the players that they would die to have. They wanna bring in 2 or 3 superstar players who will sell some tickets, but if that fails (which it probably will), then they might go after Rondo. I consider the Knicks a legitmate threat to possibly sign Rondo.

Milwaukee Bucks
I don't know if the Bucks have the cap space, but if they do, Rondo could be someone they might be interested in. I like Brandon Jennings a lot though, and I think he is their future point guard so I don't think the Bucks have a chance getting Rondo.

Miami Heat
The Heat will have some money to spend this offseason. They'll probably resign Wade, and try to go after Amare or another top player in the league. Chalmers is average but if they wanted to upgrade the PG position, Rondo could be a nice addition. Wade runs the offense most of the time though so I don't think they really need Rondo. They would rather use the money on a big man.

Out of every team in the league, I think the only team that truly poses a threat to sign Rondo is the New York Knicks. They need a PG and if no superstar decides to sign with them, they could use their money on Rondo have their point guard for the future. Rondo could be interested in playing in New York, they could probably overpay to get him.

In the end, I think Rondo will probably stay with the Celtics. They are doing the smart thing by waiting until the offseason to extend his contract. They don't have to sign him now and they can match another team's offer sheet anyway.

[Roy Hobbs]

One thing to keep in mind is that a team with an established point guard could always trade him, to make space for Rondo.  Overall, though, it's a good look at the teams in the league. (TP)

Among the teams you listed, I think Sacramento could go after them, if they so chose.  They've got room under the cap next season (although probably not enough for a max contract), and they'll be able to clear more if they trade Nocioni.

[NextCeltic34]

Yeah I had the Kings listed at first, but I didn't think they'd have enough money to go after Rondo.

[KungPoweChicken]

While I understand your rationale, we cannot say with any certainty that the teams you eliminated would not be interested in Rondo, in a year from now. The NBA is game of injuries, chemistry, youth, and stars. Moreover, if a team thinks Rondo is going to be a great player, they will go and get him if they have the money, regardless if they have a TJ Ford, Lou Williams, Jose Calderon, Rodney Stuckey, Jeff Teague, Andre Miller, or Ramon Sessions.

If Rondo plays up to the level many of the posters on this site think he is capable of, many believe he will be on the level or just below the level of CP3, Williams, and Parker. That is a piece of talent you get and build your team around, not a complimentary piece. Yeah, I think, and many other people think, Rondo can be that good.

[Who]

A list of teams under the cap with $10 million worth of cap space (under a $54 mil cap)

* Chicago - $43 million
* LA Clippers - $42 million
* Miami - $31 million
* Minnesota - $40 million
* New Jersey - $32 million
* New York - $27 million
* Oklahoma - $39 million
* Sacramento - $43 million

Houston and Atalanta have $46-47 million worth of contracts on their books.

[BBS]

Well all I can say is if I was a GM/OWNER I would do everything possible to free up the money to pay RONDO. Unless I am the GM/OWNER of the BULLS, JAZZ, AND HORNETS.

[Who]

Off of that list of teams with cap space ... I think you can rule out Houston and Atlanta due to lack of funds + Chicago, Oklahoma, Sacramento, New Jersey due to their talented point guards.

That leaves the Clippers, Heat, Wolves and Knicks. I'd also rule out the Heat because Wade needs a shooter at the point and Rondo isn't that. That leaves three teams.

I'm uncertain about the Wolves, but I do think it's doubtful that they sign Rondo to a huge contract when they already have Flynn + Rubio + Sessions around. That leaves the Clippers with Baron Davis and the Knicks with nobody. I don't think the Clippers will make a run at Rondo, but there is a small chance they will.

That leaves the Knicks who want to give $16.5 million to a max contract player bringing their cap up to almost $44 million leaving $10 million worth of cap space. I think they're more likely to go with David Lee with that money than Rondo. The Knicks look the most likely to make a run at Rondo but I don't think he'll be a first option for them.

There doesn't look to be a lot of suitors for Rondo in next year's free agency. There were 18 teams who could have been under the cap in 2010 this time last offseason but that number has almost halved since then ... and a good chunk of those teams aren't looking for a point guard. The free agent opportunities that looked available to Rondo this time last season don't appear to be there anymore.

That, combined with the restricted free agency, and I think the Celtics have an excellent chance at limiting Rondo's options and getting him to sign a lesser contract.

[crownsy]

Well all I can say is if I was a GM/OWNER I would do everything possible to free up the money to pay RONDO. Unless I am the GM/OWNER of the BULLS, JAZZ, AND HORNETS.

and you'd be wrong to do so unless you had a franchise big man and another star already.

Rondo would be wasted on a team that cannot protect him from the fact he can't hit an opener jumper at that price.

[guava_wrench]

Well all I can say is if I was a GM/OWNER I would do everything possible to free up the money to pay RONDO. Unless I am the GM/OWNER of the BULLS, JAZZ, AND HORNETS.

Minny already has enought young PGs. Unless they do a trade.

[AlCelticfan]

I think Rondo would look pretty solid as a Knick.  They'd still lose a lot, but Rondo would get great numbers playing uptempo.

[BballTim]

  Without looking at the money I'd say that a number of those teams aren't so set at pg that they wouldn't look at Rondo. Some of the players listed are combo guards and some of them aren't exactly all-stars.

[BASS_THUMPER]

instead of guessin whats poppin..jus call rondo and ask him wassup

[BballTim]

instead of guessin whats poppin..jus call rondo and ask him wassup

  Wouldn't we have to get in touch with celtics thug or the deli guy to do this?

[BASS_THUMPER]

instead of guessin whats poppin..jus call rondo and ask him wassup

  Wouldn't we have to get in touch with celtics thug or the deli guy to do this?

true dat...true dat..

my bad

[BASS_THUMPER]

celtic thug..kool screen name