What if Chris Paul became available?

[Chris]

So Chris Paul is supposedly unhappy in New Orleans.  We also know that they are struggling financially.  So just for fun, I figured I would throw this idea out there.  I believe this trade works, even with the Poison Pill provision.

Celtics trade:

Rajon Rondo
Ray Allen

New Orleans Trades:

Chris Paul
James Posey
Morris Peterson

Why for New Orleans?  It allows them to get kind of a poor man's Chris Paul, who is signed for a reasonable contract, and would probably excite the fans enough to not burn the building down, since they traded away Chris Paul.

It also saves them about $18 million next season (not even counting luxury tax savings), and another $4.5 million this season (which is just enough to get them under the luxury tax threshold).

And it also fills a glaring hole at SG, and still gives them a chance to make a playoff run this season.

Why for Boston?

Well, first of all, this would take HUGE cajones by Danny to pull the trigger on in the middle of a possibly historic season, but he has been known to make big moves like this in the past, and I think you could argue that this makes them even better this year, while giving them a much better "bridge" to the future.

Paul is arguably one of the top 2-3 best players in the league, is 24 years old, and is locked up until at least 2012.  Other than Lebron, and perhaps Howard, there may not be a better player in the league to rebuild (or reload) around.

And while it would hurt to lose Ray this season, the difference between Paul and Rondo would make up a bit for it, and they also will be able to slide either Posey or Daniels into the starting lineup, and not lose a ton of ground at that second wing spot, with whoever does not start being the 6th man off the bench, and Peterson adding an extra veteran wing as insurance. 

While I hate to mess with something that is working, the idea of Chris Paul passing to Pierce, KG, Perk, and Wallace, is VERY intriguing. 

[Rondo_is_better]

I actually don't like that at all. And not just because we Celtics fans have a beefsaurz with Christopher at the moment; I just know in my heart that this would make the team worse. For the Celtics purposes, Rajon Rondo is far and away the best PG in the league.

[PosImpos]

As the previous poster said, Rondo is a better fit for our team than CP3.  CP3 is amazing, but I think we're a better team with Rondo + Ray.

It's not time to rebuild yet, so no major trades are necessary.

[Fafnir]

If that offer is ever on the table the Celtics should do it immediately. Rondo is awesome but he still has holes in his game, but CP3 is the complete package at PG.

[Harris34]

As a complete and utterly biased homer, I don't do that deal. It makes no sense not too, and I'm not going to sit here and try to give facts to back up my claim.

Rondo has become one of my favorite players, and I think Chris Paul, although a great basketball player, is a bit of a sourpuss.

[the_Bird]

Chris Paul = Isiah Thomas.  Hate the Edited for profanity.  Please do not do it again., but I would absolutely love for him to be on the C's.  We'd still be the favorites to win the title this year (whatever offense we lost by trading Ray, CP3 would make up for) and we would absolutely have the bridge to the post-KG/Pierce era.

If you can add one of the three or four best players in the league, I don't care what the cost is, you do it. 

[GroverTheClover]

CP3 dominates the ball. Rondo doesn't. That's my biggest concern, though I think CP3 is a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge upgrade at PG. He can also shoot it which allows the C's more flexibility on offense.

Outside of him and Deron Williams the gap from the #2 PG to the #3 is pretty vast. I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[GreenFaith1819]

I wouldn't do this trade. Here's why:

Just because CP3 is a APPEARS to be a better scorer doesn't mean he would in Boston. He would still be the 4th (or 5th option, IMO).

Rondo has more of a competitive edge to him, as well. I noticed that Kobe and the Lakers were able to slow him down considerably last year. They wouldn't (and will not) do that to Rondo.

Rondo is more explosive than CP3 (Dunked OVER Dwight in 2008-2009 playoffs, dunked OVER Jason Maxielle during Piston's visit to Boston in 2007-2008).

Rondo is a slightly better rebounder than CP3.

Rondo CAN score when needed (2008-2009 playoffs prime example). As great as CP3 is, has HE averaged a NEAR TRIPLE double in Playoffs? No.

Rondo still has things to work on, yes, but I wouldn't trade him.

As for Morris Peterson and Posey for Ray Allen: Again No Way. Ray Allen is a better shooter AND Clutch performer (2007-2008 Celtics VS Charlotte in CHA: Ray Allen was like 1 for 13, but hit that Dagger and the end---Ray Allen for the Game---GOT IT!!!! AT THE BUZZER", lol

I like Posey and he was a major part of our Championship run in 2007-2008, but I still wouldn't do it.

Great Post, though...Don't get me wrong CP3 is a GREAT player...but I can't do the trade.

[Roy Hobbs]

Just because CP3 is a APPEARS to be a better scorer doesn't mean he would in Boston. He would still be the 4th (or 5th option, IMO).

This is just flat out wrong, in my opinion.  Chris Paul is a much, much better scorer than Rondo right now, and would immediately be option 1A on offense.

Who would he be the 4th (or 5th) option to?  Rasheed?  Perk?  It makes little sense to me.

[Fan from VT]

You'd have to make that trade, then follow it up with a BBD/Scal/TA package for a good shooting guard. Like Rip Hamilton or, more ideally, Prince, if Detroit decided they want to enter next year's FA market, or Azubuike if you could somehow do pull that off. Or Barbosa, if phoenix wants to lower their tax for next year (sarvar is notoriously cheap).

A lineup like

Paul/Hudson
Hamilton/Peterson
Pierce/Daniels
KG/Sheldon or Posey
Perk/Wallace

would be ridiculously tempting.


Unfortunately, Chris, due to the whole PPP and BYC thing the first trade you mentioned doesn't work.

[GreenFaith1819]

Just because CP3 is a APPEARS to be a better scorer doesn't mean he would in Boston. He would still be the 4th (or 5th option, IMO).

This is just flat out wrong, in my opinion.  Chris Paul is a much, much better scorer than Rondo right now, and would immediately be option 1A on offense.

Who would he be the 4th (or 5th) option to?  Rasheed?  Perk?  It makes little sense to me.

Chris Paul is a Better scorer because he HAS TO score for New Orleans to be competitive. Rondo's 4th option on Boston  because he has somewhat better talent, but Rondo is NOT far behind CP3 at all. Like I posted earlier, with KG out and Powe hurt, when Rondo was called on to score, he did..against Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich.

And if CP3 is option 1A on offense in Boston, then who is distributing the ball?

And Rondo will bridge gap for future quite nicely, I believe.

[Mr October]

Chris Paul = Isiah Thomas.  Hate the ****, but I would absolutely love for him to be on the C's.  We'd still be the favorites to win the title this year (whatever offense we lost by trading Ray, CP3 would make up for) and we would absolutely have the bridge to the post-KG/Pierce era.

If you can add one of the three or four best players in the league, I don't care what the cost is, you do it. 

Agree 100%. If you can land a young MVP caliber player, you do it. C Paul and D Williams are far and away the top 2 PGs in the NBA.

[Mr October]

Just because CP3 is a APPEARS to be a better scorer doesn't mean he would in Boston. He would still be the 4th (or 5th option, IMO).

This is just flat out wrong, in my opinion.  Chris Paul is a much, much better scorer than Rondo right now, and would immediately be option 1A on offense.

Who would he be the 4th (or 5th) option to?  Rasheed?  Perk?  It makes little sense to me.

Chris Paul is a Better scorer because he HAS TO score for New Orleans to be competitive. Rondo's 4th option on Boston  because he has somewhat better talent, but Rondo is NOT far behind CP3 at all. Like I posted earlier, with KG out and Powe hurt, when Rondo was called on to score, he did..against Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich.

And if CP3 is option 1A on offense in Boston, then who is distributing the ball?

And Rondo will bridge gap for future quite nicely, I believe.

Rondo did quite well scoring against the young inconsistent Bulls. But can he score at will against the elite teams? No. Chris Paul can.

There is room for Paul to score and distribute ala Steve Nash, Jason Kidd. Overall his numbers would drop, but he can take over at any time. Most elite PGs can do both.

[the_Bird]

Chris Paul = Isiah Thomas.  Hate the ****, but I would absolutely love for him to be on the C's.  We'd still be the favorites to win the title this year (whatever offense we lost by trading Ray, CP3 would make up for) and we would absolutely have the bridge to the post-KG/Pierce era.

If you can add one of the three or four best players in the league, I don't care what the cost is, you do it. 

Agree 100%. If you can land a young MVP caliber player, you do it. C Paul and D Williams are far and away the top 2 PGs in the NBA.

One exception. 

Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. Kobe Bryant.  I'd rather lose.

[Mr October]

Chris Paul = Isiah Thomas.  Hate the ****, but I would absolutely love for him to be on the C's.  We'd still be the favorites to win the title this year (whatever offense we lost by trading Ray, CP3 would make up for) and we would absolutely have the bridge to the post-KG/Pierce era.

If you can add one of the three or four best players in the league, I don't care what the cost is, you do it. 

Agree 100%. If you can land a young MVP caliber player, you do it. C Paul and D Williams are far and away the top 2 PGs in the NBA.

One exception. 

**** Kobe Bryant.  I'd rather lose.

Hehe. TP. Although notice I said "young" MVP.... I think Kobe was in the back of mind.