Rondo/JO to Cavs for Baron Davis/Varejao

[Cman]

I think it is an interesting idea that falls in the realm of "possible".  TP.

The potential downside is chemistry issues, especially given how important a PG is to a team.  But Baron Davis and PP are very good friends so maybe less of an issue.  Baron's offensive skills would force other teams to cover him, opening things up more for PP, RA and KG.  Clearly the Cs need a center, and like Varejao or not, he would be an upgrade over what we now have.  Fingers crossed that he recovers from his injury.

It would kill the Cs shot at signing a FA in 2012, but with cap holds in place because of KG and RA, there may not have been that much room anyway, and besides, no clear indication that the Cs would be able to sign a quality FA anyway...

If the Cs are able to get a draft pick as well, that's just icing on the cake.

EDIT: Without the draft pick, this would be an example of the Cs trying to extend the window.  With the draft pick, this would be Cs trying to extend the window, while also building for the future.

[CelticG1]

I honestly don't get why many here are so adamant about trading Rondo ... this kid has special qualities that go far beyond just his amazing basketball abilities, and he just keeps improving and maturing before our eyes.

I also can't stand Baron Davis ... he can ball, but I very much dislike his attitude and would never want him in green, (or his contract). To each his/her own ... guess that's what makes the world go 'round, (and the blogs buzz).

I don't know why people are so sensitive about Rondo trade ideas. He is our only valuable trading chip so I think it's at least a good exercise to see what we can get for him and play around with it.

As for him continuing to improve and mature before our eyes I think he took a step back this year in regards to both. His first half of the season was great but he dropped off an incredible amount in the second half. I know we've been talking about it for 5 years now but I really have not seen a noticeable improvement in his jumpshot at all. Also this past year he was getting to the line less and shooting free throws at an even worse clip than the past couple years. Come to think of it he definitely took a step back this year

  Not everyone considers playing through injuries to be taking a step back.

Ok well at least you are admitting that he took a step back this year albeit through "injuries"

  No, what I'm saying is that he showed a great deal of improvement before his play was hampered by injuries.

This is another thing I don't get. People talk about Rondo playing through injuries as such a great thing and although it shows that he is tough, him getting injuries constantly is not a good thing in my mind either. He's 25 and sat out 14 games this year and on top of that people say he was playing with injuries all year, and that he has Plantar Facialtis (no idea how to spell that). Isn't this a chronic injury that we should have some concern over?

  I don't think he's the only player in the league to have one injury-plagued season by the time he was 25. Chris Paul and Deron Williams, for instance, both have had *multiple* years when they've missed as many or more games that Rondo did this year.

  Personally I think that a lot of his issues this year stemmed from a lack of rest last year. He played all the way through the finals and then spent quite a bit of time with USA basketball, and almost right into training camp. He needs more of a break this year.

I'm confused about when Rondo got injured. Do you know when he did? Are you talking about when he sat out? Are you saying he was really injured all season? Rondo was fantastic for about a month and then progressively got worse and worse and worse. I think a strong case can also be made that a healthy Shaq helped Rondo out a TON at the beginning of the season as well. If Rondo was really injured this whole season than I guess I can give him a pass, but injury or not he certainly took a step backward this year and I think his value around the league has dropped (although some PG's value has skyrocketed). Remember the Rondo-Rose debate. The debate got answered emphatically this year.

I understand your point about other PG's have injury plagued season's my point is that people talk about how those guys are injury proned, but when you look at Rondo I wouldn't say he is completely void of injury at all.

Maybe Rondo lacked rest but first off he didn't even play with them for that long and why does it seem like no one else has a problem with it? He's a small point guard if anything I would think he would have had more an effect on bigger guys like Lamar Odom (6th man of year) or Tyson Chandler (transforming Mavs D). It seems like every other guard benefited (Rose, Westbrook, Curry).

I hate doing this because I love Rondo and love watching him play but I just can't fight the notion that we are going to have another year of Rondo like this when in reality we need him to dramatically improve and improve his scoring most of all his biggest weakness. The big 3 are getting older, we don't just need a PG to pass it to these guys every time down the floor. We need a PG who can score and take the load off them.

[PortCelt]

There's no way RR is traded unless it's for a PG in his class. Only CP3 will suffice.

[BballTim]

I hate doing this because I love Rondo and love watching him play but I just can't fight the notion that we are going to have another year of Rondo like this when in reality we need him to dramatically improve and improve his scoring most of all his biggest weakness. The big 3 are getting older, we don't just need a PG to pass it to these guys every time down the floor. We need a PG who can score and take the load off them.

  It's worth pointing out that the big three had their most efficient scoring years (probably ever) with the passes that they were getting from Rondo. A good look at the basket from RR/PP/KG is really a better scoring chance than a shot by Rondo (or, by the way, Westbrook or Rose or a host of other pgs). I'm not sure that Rondo really needs to dramatically improve his scoring, but probably look for his offense more often. He's clearly capable of scoring more than he does during the season, but his mindset probably affects his shooting.

[heitingas]

Lebron's TPE is more valuable than Baron Davis and the Cavs 2012 1st round pick.

[BballTim]

I think it is an interesting idea that falls in the realm of "possible".  TP.

The potential downside is chemistry issues, especially given how important a PG is to a team.  But Baron Davis and PP are very good friends so maybe less of an issue.  Baron's offensive skills would force other teams to cover him, opening things up more for PP, RA and KG.  Clearly the Cs need a center, and like Varejao or not, he would be an upgrade over what we now have.  Fingers crossed that he recovers from his injury.

It would kill the Cs shot at signing a FA in 2012, but with cap holds in place because of KG and RA, there may not have been that much room anyway, and besides, no clear indication that the Cs would be able to sign a quality FA anyway...

If the Cs are able to get a draft pick as well, that's just icing on the cake.

EDIT: Without the draft pick, this would be an example of the Cs trying to extend the window.  With the draft pick, this would be Cs trying to extend the window, while also building for the future.

  Baron Davis hasn't been close to the player Rondo has been since 2008.

[nickagneta]

How about Rondo and JO for Baron Davis and Anderson Varejao and the #1 pick in the draft. Cleveland won't need Kyrie Irving if they have Rondo for 4 years.

[EmilioBonilla]

To me, Rondo is someone with MVP potential.  I'm not concerned about trading him.  I'm concerned about him hopefully finding a way to give his body lots of rest this summer, while working very hard on his shooting!

Someone who shoots in the 50's for free throws and has trouble averaging more than 13 points a game will never be an MVP, not even close.

With Deron Williams in the east now, he'll probably never be an all-star again. John Wall, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose are all better than him.

I disagree. Those guys are only better offensive players than Rondo, now if were talking defense Rondo blows ALL of them out of the water. Guys look Rondo can take it to the hoop and he can DO IT VERY WELL. The season before I remember him taking it down low all the time, but was also getting beat up pretty bad and getting tossed like a rag doll and that's why I think he backed down from going as much. I remember Doc talking about Rondo taking it down low on his own and being able to get foul shots and that is the entire reason why we know that he is that bad of a free throw shooter.

Many here like to rag on Rondo's shooting but that is not his best game like many others. Rondo does not need to score, but when he has to I've seen him come up big. Rondo has all the intangibles that I think as a whole could be matched to CP3 or D-Will. Those 3 are the top 3 PG's of the league. A straight up trade for CP3 will only satisfy me. A trade involving multiple players for Rondo is another story. A Mike Conley, Mayo and Allen with a pick for Rondo would be perfect for me.  

[Cman]

I think it is an interesting idea that falls in the realm of "possible".  TP.

The potential downside is chemistry issues, especially given how important a PG is to a team.  But Baron Davis and PP are very good friends so maybe less of an issue.  Baron's offensive skills would force other teams to cover him, opening things up more for PP, RA and KG.  Clearly the Cs need a center, and like Varejao or not, he would be an upgrade over what we now have.  Fingers crossed that he recovers from his injury.

It would kill the Cs shot at signing a FA in 2012, but with cap holds in place because of KG and RA, there may not have been that much room anyway, and besides, no clear indication that the Cs would be able to sign a quality FA anyway...

If the Cs are able to get a draft pick as well, that's just icing on the cake.

EDIT: Without the draft pick, this would be an example of the Cs trying to extend the window.  With the draft pick, this would be Cs trying to extend the window, while also building for the future.

  Baron Davis hasn't been close to the player Rondo has been since 2008.

Right, which is why a draft pick would have to be included.

[BballTim]

I think it is an interesting idea that falls in the realm of "possible".  TP.

The potential downside is chemistry issues, especially given how important a PG is to a team.  But Baron Davis and PP are very good friends so maybe less of an issue.  Baron's offensive skills would force other teams to cover him, opening things up more for PP, RA and KG.  Clearly the Cs need a center, and like Varejao or not, he would be an upgrade over what we now have.  Fingers crossed that he recovers from his injury.

It would kill the Cs shot at signing a FA in 2012, but with cap holds in place because of KG and RA, there may not have been that much room anyway, and besides, no clear indication that the Cs would be able to sign a quality FA anyway...

If the Cs are able to get a draft pick as well, that's just icing on the cake.

EDIT: Without the draft pick, this would be an example of the Cs trying to extend the window.  With the draft pick, this would be Cs trying to extend the window, while also building for the future.

  Baron Davis hasn't been close to the player Rondo has been since 2008.

Right, which is why a draft pick would have to be included.

  I meant that you're "extending the window" with a big downgrade at the pg spot. You'd more likely be closing it.

[Celtics18]

I honestly don't get why many here are so adamant about trading Rondo ... this kid has special qualities that go far beyond just his amazing basketball abilities, and he just keeps improving and maturing before our eyes.

I also can't stand Baron Davis ... he can ball, but I very much dislike his attitude and would never want him in green, (or his contract). To each his/her own ... guess that's what makes the world go 'round, (and the blogs buzz).

I don't know why people are so sensitive about Rondo trade ideas. He is our only valuable trading chip so I think it's at least a good exercise to see what we can get for him and play around with it.

As for him continuing to improve and mature before our eyes I think he took a step back this year in regards to both. His first half of the season was great but he dropped off an incredible amount in the second half. I know we've been talking about it for 5 years now but I really have not seen a noticeable improvement in his jumpshot at all. Also this past year he was getting to the line less and shooting free throws at an even worse clip than the past couple years. Come to think of it he definitely took a step back this year

  Not everyone considers playing through injuries to be taking a step back.

Ok well at least you are admitting that he took a step back this year albeit through "injuries"

This is another thing I don't get. People talk about Rondo playing through injuries as such a great thing and although it shows that he is tough, him getting injuries constantly is not a good thing in my mind either. He's 25 and sat out 14 games this year and on top of that people say he was playing with injuries all year, and that he has Plantar Facialtis (no idea how to spell that). Isn't this a chronic injury that we should have some concern over?

So Rondo was either injured all year (which makes me nervous about his future and current health), or he regressed this year (which makes me nervous about his future "potential")

The plantar fasciitis was something that Rondo struggled with all season.  The good news is that it's a condition that's generally not chronic and heals with rest of the feet. Obviously, he didn't get much of a chance to rest the feet this season, but I think there's a better than not likelihood that his feet will be healed up by the start of next season.


It's a pretty common condition for NBA players.  While it's painful and generally affects play and court time, I don't know of any players who have not been able to fully recover from it.

[paulcowens]

It's just amazing to me that we have a player in Rondo who is already an elite player, and who has good only knows how much potential, who has improved every year, and already we've traded him 500 times this offseason, in our imaginations. 

I'm more interested in imagining how good he could be next year.

[KobeGotRondoD]

THE worst trade proposal i have ever heard in my entire life

[Cman]

I think it is an interesting idea that falls in the realm of "possible".  TP.

The potential downside is chemistry issues, especially given how important a PG is to a team.  But Baron Davis and PP are very good friends so maybe less of an issue.  Baron's offensive skills would force other teams to cover him, opening things up more for PP, RA and KG.  Clearly the Cs need a center, and like Varejao or not, he would be an upgrade over what we now have.  Fingers crossed that he recovers from his injury.

It would kill the Cs shot at signing a FA in 2012, but with cap holds in place because of KG and RA, there may not have been that much room anyway, and besides, no clear indication that the Cs would be able to sign a quality FA anyway...

If the Cs are able to get a draft pick as well, that's just icing on the cake.

EDIT: Without the draft pick, this would be an example of the Cs trying to extend the window.  With the draft pick, this would be Cs trying to extend the window, while also building for the future.

  Baron Davis hasn't been close to the player Rondo has been since 2008.

Right, which is why a draft pick would have to be included.

  I meant that you're "extending the window" with a big downgrade at the pg spot. You'd more likely be closing it.

I agree it is a downgrade, but I guess I disagree with you as to how much of a downgrade.  In any case, it is not a one-one trade. 

I think the trade would extend the window for a few reasons: (1) Varejao is better than any realistic FA target the Cs could get in the offseason.  (2) Varejao strikes me as hungry and motivated, and he has the type of energy that our vets could feed off, the type of energy that KG used to bring.  (3) Davis, while clearly on the downside of his career, would be re-energized playing on a legit title contender (for really the first time in his life); I bet his play would improve over where it's been the past couple years. (4) Because Davis is such an offensive threat, there would be fewer defenders on the Big Three, meaning they'd be less worn down comes playoffs.

[Cman]

THE worst trade proposal i have ever heard in my entire life

You haven't read a lot of trade proposals then!

Of the many trade proposals I've seen it falls in the important category of "realistic" (meaning that the other team wouldn't hang up the phone immediately).  Of the trades in that category, this trade proposal has some things to like about it.