If NO does want to dump Paul to save money, do you make this trade?

[Michael Anthony]

I am on board in a vacuum, but we cannot make this trade unless we get a replacement at the two. As mentioned, Pierce is not that guy and Peja/Daniels are great bench players but cannot be trusted as starters.

A guy like Raja Bell - defense and outside shooting - would be sufficent and attainable in a follow up trade.

Paul - House
Bell - Daniels
Pierce - Stoyokovisflgvj$#%$#TR#$$
Garnett - Davis
Perkins - Wallace

That is a great team IMHO!

[Birdbrain]

The problem with this is that we are left with a huge hole at the 2 spot. I would love to have CP3 on our team but if we trade Ray we need someone that can give us contender level game at the 2. Now if NO are willing to buy Ray out and we get him back...(i know, just dreaming here)

You move Pierce to the 2, start Peja at the 3.  Increase the work load of Daniels.  

Peja and Daniels haven't completed a season in three years. Pierce is a much better 3 than a 2.

So together, they could probably completer one full season.


Heck, even TA could start with Paul as a PG.  Paul shoots so much better then Rondo.

Wow that's a tad overboard to say the least.  I think I need to take some more time off.

[nickagneta]

Paul is currently a star. But I don't do this trade because Rondo is a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot away from being a star as well and maybe the second best PG in the league.

I say have patience with Rondo's shot. He's as good if not a better defender, rebounder, passer and floor general as Paul without the need for having to be a scorer as well, which I happen to like better than the shoot first mentality of some PGs.

I look at it this way, if Rondo can hit his 15-18 footers at a 45% consistency level in two years, he's almost Paul's equal so then the trade comes down to Ray, Scal, a 1st, a 2nd and cash for Peja, Arthur and Hadadi and that is a ridiculously stupid trade, IMO.

[BballTim]

Even if it means giving up Rondo and Ray, if you can get Chris Paul you do it.  You can make a case that Paul is as good as Lebron or Kobe.  And he's going to be on that level for a long, long time.

  That's the thinking behind doing a trade like this, but I don't really think it's true. I like Chris Paul, and I think he's a better player than Rondo. But when we play Kobe or LeBron I'm concerned that they'll have a good enough game to beat us single-handedly. When we play NO the suspense is whether Rondo or Paul will come out ahead in their individual matchup.

  Trading Rondo for Paul probably makes us better. Trading Ray and Rondo for Paul and Peja isn't as big a gain. If Peja is injured (or sucks on D) the then Ray and Rondo for CP3 makes us worse. We'll be using up a year of our PP/KG window and there's no guarantee that we'll be contenders when they're gone.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'd do it, yes.  Rajon is a top-ten point guard, maybe top-five.  However, Paul is the best, and will remain the best for probably the next decade.  As some others have said, if an elite superstar is available, you should pull the trigger.

[Brickowski]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

[wdleehi]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

It has to be that way.


Rondo's contract is a PPP.

Paul's contract is a BYC.

[Roy Hobbs]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

How much are they losing in revenue due to the downgrade from CP3 to Rondo?

[nickagneta]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

Can't do it. Paul is a BYC player and Rondo a Poison Pill player and most trades swapping them are going to get highly complicated and involved a bunch of other players.

[wdleehi]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

How much are they losing in revenue due to the downgrade from CP3 to Rondo?

Would Paul resign with the way the team is being run?

[Bahku]

Paul is currently a star. But I don't do this trade because Rondo is a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot away from being a star as well and maybe the second best PG in the league.

I say have patience with Rondo's shot. He's as good if not a better defender, rebounder, passer and floor general as Paul without the need for having to be a scorer as well, which I happen to like better than the shoot first mentality of some PGs.

I look at it this way, if Rondo can hit his 15-18 footers at a 45% consistency level in two years, he's almost Paul's equal so then the trade comes down to Ray, Scal, a 1st, a 2nd and cash for Peja, Arthur and Hadadi and that is a ridiculously stupid trade, IMO.

I agree ... but I also would say no because he's in the same arrogant, "Me-Me", NBA-stroking club as LBJ and Kobe. I know it's one of those irrational dislike things, but I just can't stand the guy. I love Rondo's energy and willingness to grow, and his love is for his team first, at least that's my feeling. CP3 loves CP3 ... and that's not what the Celtics are about.

[Roy Hobbs]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

How much are they losing in revenue due to the downgrade from CP3 to Rondo?

Would Paul resign with the way the team is being run?

Probably, just because most max free agents re-sign with their current teams, to maximize their contracts.  If not, New Orleans could always get something decent back in a sign-and-trade.

It would be stupid, in my opinion, for New Orleans to trade a superstar for a borderline all-star, if all they're saying is a few million each season.

[nickagneta]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

How much are they losing in revenue due to the downgrade from CP3 to Rondo?

Would Paul resign with the way the team is being run?

Probably, just because most max free agents re-sign with their current teams, to maximize their contracts.  If not, New Orleans could always get something decent back in a sign-and-trade.

It would be stupid, in my opinion, for New Orleans to trade a superstar for a borderline all-star, if all they're saying is a few million each season.

Yeah, but we're talking about George Shinn and when you're talking about owners like George Shinn and Donald Sterling, stupid is always in the equation.

[Birdbrain]

Paul is currently a star. But I don't do this trade because Rondo is a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot away from being a star as well and maybe the second best PG in the league.

I say have patience with Rondo's shot. He's as good if not a better defender, rebounder, passer and floor general as Paul without the need for having to be a scorer as well, which I happen to like better than the shoot first mentality of some PGs.

I look at it this way, if Rondo can hit his 15-18 footers at a 45% consistency level in two years, he's almost Paul's equal so then the trade comes down to Ray, Scal, a 1st, a 2nd and cash for Peja, Arthur and Hadadi and that is a ridiculously stupid trade, IMO.

I agree ... but I also would say no because he's in the same arrogant, "Me-Me", NBA-stroking club as LBJ and Kobe. I know it's one of those irrational dislike things, but I just can't stand the guy. I love Rondo's energy and willingness to grow, and his love is for his team first, at least that's my feeling. CP3 loves CP3 ... and that's not what the Celtics are about.

Yeah pretty much 100% agreeance with both of your posts.  Lots of stats and lots of losses.  Rondo is the type of PG I prefer to root for.  I know he can't shoot a 15 ft jumper ... but, since he's a PG I really don't care.

[Tai]

The proposed trade is too complicated.  Just offer Rondo and expirings for Paul, plus $3M in cash.  That saves NO around 28 million over the life of Paul's deal, plus more after that, since Paul will still command max money when his current deal expires.

It has to be that way.


Rondo's contract is a PPP.

Paul's contract is a BYC.

So, after looking up what this is, can you elaborate on what exactly are the Poison Pills in Rondo's contract?

And the Hornets aren't dumping CP3 to "save money". That's a borderline oxymoron. If the Hornets do that, they may very effectively lose their fanbase.