I hate to admit it but getting Howard means trading Rondo for Chris Paul

[chambers]

Realistically this must be going through Danny's mind.
The Hornets get a perfect replacement for Paul. (well as good as any available).
We get arguably the best point guard in the league.
Howard and Paul are very good friends- this is common knowledge.
KG +CP3 running the pick n Roll would be devastating and would be great for KG's offensive production because Howard would be protecting the pain and doing the same on the opposite side everytime.

This tandem would crush everyone. KG and Ray (even Paul Pierce taking a pay cut later on) would have to take smaller salaries to have a starting five of:

Chris Paul
Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
KG
Howard.

coach Doc rivers.

Even if Ray and KG don't hang around we should be able to lure top free agents with the Chris Paul, Pierce and Howard tandem.

I am hoping that Danny is thinking about this and has most likely run the numbers.
My understanding is that the only realistic way we keep this starting 5 is by Ray and KG taking vet minimum pay for a year, then Paul Pierce taking a massive pay cut the following year so they (Ray and KG )can get a bit more money back after taking the cut for a year..

So try and get a good 2-3 seasons out of this combo and then go after players for CP3 and Howard to make their own Celtics history.

Question is would CP3 and Howard wanna join an established threesome like this?
Or would they rather begin their own legacy in Orlando?

As much as I love Rondo (he's my favorite player), I think this is the best way to bring Howard to our green machine.

[paulcowens]

I think it's taking a huge risk to bring player x to our team in order to get player y later on, x and y being friends. 

[chambers]

I think it's taking a huge risk to bring player x to our team in order to get player y later on, x and y being friends. 

I can't see how trading Rondo for CP3 is a risk at all.
We get a better player for a our team and it probably significantly increases our chances of getting Howard here.
He would obviously need an extension but we are one of the only places that can offer someone to the Hornets in return of almost equal value. ( age, position and talent wise)

[paulcowens]

To me, that is an argument for trading Rondo for Chris Paul.  If the player you want is Paul, then fine, make that trade.  But don't trade Rondo for Paul when the player you really want is Howard.

[chambers]

To me, that is an argument for trading Rondo for Chris Paul.  If the player you want is Paul, then fine, make that trade.  But don't trade Rondo for Paul when the player you really want is Howard.

ok, then please explain how the suggested trade is risky for the Celtics ?
I don't think your point makes sense in this scenario.

[Coach]

You are assuming that the NBA allows the Celtics to steal from the Hornets.  They won't. CP3, even with the balky knee, is a lot better player than Rondo.  You would have to throw in a bunch more stuff, and on top of that, convince CP3 that he should sign an extention here.  For that to happen, they have to guarantee him that Howard is coming, and they will be able to sign KG, and Ray to another contract.

That is a lot of ducks to line up.

As much as it would be huge for the C's, all of that is not likely happening.

[indeedproceed]

You are assuming that the NBA allows the Celtics to steal from the Hornets.  They won't. CP3, even with the balky knee, is a lot better player than Rondo.  You would have to throw in a bunch more stuff, and on top of that, convince CP3 that he should sign an extention here.  For that to happen, they have to guarantee him that Howard is coming, and they will be able to sign KG, and Ray to another contract.

That is a lot of ducks to line up.

As much as it would be huge for the C's, all of that is not likely happening.

I think this line of thinking was true 2 or 3 years ago, but isn't true now.

This is what Ric Bucher is saying:

His situation is muddied by the fact the league, in essence, owns him, since it currently controls the team. (Let's put aside, for the moment, how potentially rife with accusations of conspiracy that scenario is.) As much as CP3 would like to play in New York -- and I'd like to see him battling for Gotham with his longtime rival and current Nets point guard Deron Williams -- the Knicks have no chance of adding him as a free agent with Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony already on the books.

Since there is no obvious spot, I'm going to go off the boards and have him land in Boston in a deal for Rajon Rondo. Rumors of such a deal already made the rounds once. New Orleans does a sign-and-trade -- the owners' proposed new max salary of $11 million would make it a straight-up trade -- to get a great young point guard to build around rather than come up empty. Paul, meanwhile, gets the chance to squeeze one more ring out of Boston's existing Big Three; why wouldn't Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett re-sign to cap-friendly terms to give it to him?

[Marcus13]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious that it's going to take a Superstar to sign Dwight.  CP3 would be a leading candidate

[manl_lui]

I agree, I also like Rondo, but I think Cp3 attracts Howard more than Rondo does...Howard did say he wanted to play with CP3 didn't he?

I can totally see KG taking a pay cut, i mean he said he's going to give up his salary for the lockout cause...

Ray Allen I can also see take a pay cut, the only one i don't see in taking a pay cut is Pierce...

but if they do, will we have room to also sign Josh Smith???

[wdleehi]

You are assuming that the NBA allows the Celtics to steal from the Hornets.  They won't. CP3, even with the balky knee, is a lot better player than Rondo.  You would have to throw in a bunch more stuff, and on top of that, convince CP3 that he should sign an extention here.  For that to happen, they have to guarantee him that Howard is coming, and they will be able to sign KG, and Ray to another contract.

That is a lot of ducks to line up.

As much as it would be huge for the C's, all of that is not likely happening.

I think this line of thinking was true 2 or 3 years ago, but isn't true now.

This is what Ric Bucher is saying:

His situation is muddied by the fact the league, in essence, owns him, since it currently controls the team. (Let's put aside, for the moment, how potentially rife with accusations of conspiracy that scenario is.) As much as CP3 would like to play in New York -- and I'd like to see him battling for Gotham with his longtime rival and current Nets point guard Deron Williams -- the Knicks have no chance of adding him as a free agent with Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony already on the books.

Since there is no obvious spot, I'm going to go off the boards and have him land in Boston in a deal for Rajon Rondo. Rumors of such a deal already made the rounds once. New Orleans does a sign-and-trade -- the owners' proposed new max salary of $11 million would make it a straight-up trade -- to get a great young point guard to build around rather than come up empty. Paul, meanwhile, gets the chance to squeeze one more ring out of Boston's existing Big Three; why wouldn't Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett re-sign to cap-friendly terms to give it to him?

The biggest issue to his logic is there is a good chance the owners will get rid of the sign and trade option so if a star wants to get out of a team as a FA, they will have no choice but to take less money. 

[Kane3387]

S + T would only be an issue of there is no season... If there is no season then the only way is to trade Rondo to a team with 10 mill in salary cap.

I can't see the league letting CP3 walk for nothing when they are trying to sell the team. That would really hurt their efforts in finding a buyer. Rondo is not CP3 as a player and definitely not from a marketing standpoint, but his presence increases the value of NO if CP3 leaves. And he will more then likely leave unless NO gets a top notch player. Unlikely considering Ariza and Okafor are hard to move and they want West back.

I have been saying all along that CP3 gives us the best chance to lure D12 here. Saying it for months. That being said I would trade for CP3 anyways. Like it or not he is an upgrade. He can't be left open and he has all the intangibles that Rondo does.

[Coach]

You are assuming that the NBA allows the Celtics to steal from the Hornets.  They won't. CP3, even with the balky knee, is a lot better player than Rondo.  You would have to throw in a bunch more stuff, and on top of that, convince CP3 that he should sign an extention here.  For that to happen, they have to guarantee him that Howard is coming, and they will be able to sign KG, and Ray to another contract.

That is a lot of ducks to line up.

As much as it would be huge for the C's, all of that is not likely happening.

I think this line of thinking was true 2 or 3 years ago, but isn't true now.

This is what Ric Bucher is saying:

His situation is muddied by the fact the league, in essence, owns him, since it currently controls the team. (Let's put aside, for the moment, how potentially rife with accusations of conspiracy that scenario is.) As much as CP3 would like to play in New York -- and I'd like to see him battling for Gotham with his longtime rival and current Nets point guard Deron Williams -- the Knicks have no chance of adding him as a free agent with Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony already on the books.

Since there is no obvious spot, I'm going to go off the boards and have him land in Boston in a deal for Rajon Rondo. Rumors of such a deal already made the rounds once. New Orleans does a sign-and-trade -- the owners' proposed new max salary of $11 million would make it a straight-up trade -- to get a great young point guard to build around rather than come up empty. Paul, meanwhile, gets the chance to squeeze one more ring out of Boston's existing Big Three; why wouldn't Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett re-sign to cap-friendly terms to give it to him?

What isn't true?  CP3 would have to agree to this, and he won't without D. Howard being 100% committed.  If Howard committed, I do believe that he would agree.

Plus, even though Bucher says they would, I don't think they would do that trade, straight up.  CP3 is just a better player.  Now, if he tells NO that he is going to sign with Boston anyway, even if they don't do the sign and trade, they would.  But there I don't think you would find any rational person that says that is an equal value trade, basketball wise.

Btw...I'm all for it, if Ainge can some how pull it off.  If he could land D. Howard and CP3 and only sacrifice Rondo in the process?  Much better than the Ray and KG moves.

[cman88]

I dont see this obsession with getting CP3 as if he's our savior....I think rondo would be just as appealing to play with for a guy like D.howard as CP3...Rondo is light years better than any PG howard has played with. and Danny can offer him a championship ready team almost instantly(pierce/rondo with RA saying hed love to come back, mb KG)

[jdz101]

In terms of jersey sales, rondo is far more popular than CP3. Anyone who says rondo isn't marketable compared to CP3 is kidding themselves. The kid is endorsed by red bull for gods sake.

[CelticG1]

In terms of jersey sales, rondo is far more popular than CP3. Anyone who says rondo isn't marketable compared to CP3 is kidding themselves. The kid is endorsed by red bull for gods sake.

You do know that has a little something to do with who he plays for right?

I'm pretty sure if they got swapped for one another Rondo wouldn't still be at the top of jersey sales