Would you trade Rondo for James Harden straight up?

[chambers]

Harden's a little younger, he comes off the bench, and will probably be the 6th man of the year.
I can't believe he didn't make the All Star team, yet Chris Bosh did and Deron Williams did. Different conference I guess.
Anyway, this guy could probably average 25 ppg if he were a starting 2 guard in the NBA (in my opinion), his defense is nice too.
I also remember that Danny wanted Harden instead of Jeff Green originally and Presti of OKC said no, we'll throw in a pick.

Questions:
1) Would Danny do this?
My thoughts are yes, he probably would. I don't think they see Rondo as the future here and Harden is someone they can potentially build around because of his scoring.

2) Would OKC do this? (move Westbrook to the 2 guard spot, Durant to the 3, with Sefalosha and Jackson the rookie coming off the bench like Harden has been)
I don't really know. I think getting Rondo makes them much better because it means Durant gets more of the ball and Perkins+Ibaka get more easy looks under the rim- it helps their spacing so much. Westbrook then becomes more of a Dwayne Wade type player and works on his 3 point shooting. Rondo, Westbrook and Durant running the floor would be simply incredible.

3)Would you do this as a Celtics fan?
I probably would on paper, but it's hard to say if I had to pull the trigger. My heart is attached to Rondo- I love Rondo and he's the leader of this team, but we need scoring, and James Harden is a natural scorer. He will be an All Star one day and I don't know if OKC can afford him or if he'll want to stay there as their bench guy.
OKC should be starting him and bringing in Jackson +Sefalosha anyway.
Perhaps it would be better to try and get Harden here to play with Rondo, because I think he's a FA in a year or two, which would be awesome, and is the road I'd rather take.

[Who]

No -- I don't think either team does this trade. OKC because they have a settled squad and an elite PG already. Boston because Harden hasn't proven himself equal or even comparable to a Rajon Rondo (yet?).

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm not sure, I would think not. I think Rondo is too good when he's playing like he should, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and will.

[ManUp]

No -- I don't think either team does this trade. OKC because they have a settled squad and an elite PG already. Boston because Harden hasn't proven himself equal or even comparable to a Rajon Rondo (yet?).

This.

[Change]

I wanted to trade Rondo for him in draft. My biased opinion YES!!   Harden still on his rookie contract, so he opens up some cap room. Celtics can take a shot at Dwight+Deron package 2012. Sign them both to Max Deal.

12/13
Deron
Harden
Pierce
KG
Dwight

[Who]

I wanted to trade Rondo for him in draft. My biased opinion YES!!   Harden still on his rookie contract, so he opens up some cap room. Celtics can take a shot at Dwight+Deron package 2012. Sign them both to Max Deal.

12/13
Deron
Harden
Pierce
KG
Dwight

Now that there is an excellent argument as to why to make this trade.

Free Agency = Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to combine with Harden and Pierce

Edit: Hang on, I don't think that is possible. Pierce at just under $17mil and Harden at under $6mil. Even if you moved Bradley, JJ and the two first rounders and had nothing but cap holds for the empty roster spots (10 * $500k). That still wouldn't leave you enough room to sign both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to max contracts. Would need to trade Pierce for a lesser paid star talent.

[Change]

I wanted to trade Rondo for him in draft. My biased opinion YES!!   Harden still on his rookie contract, so he opens up some cap room. Celtics can take a shot at Dwight+Deron package 2012. Sign them both to Max Deal.

12/13
Deron
Harden
Pierce
KG
Dwight

Now that there is an excellent argument as to why to make this trade.

Free Agency = Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to combine with Harden and Pierce

Edit: Hang on, I don't think that is possible. Pierce at just under $17mil and Harden at under $6mil. Even if you moved Bradley, JJ and the two first rounders and had nothing but cap holds for the empty roster spots (10 * $500k). That still wouldn't leave you enough room to sign both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to max contracts. Would need to trade Pierce for a lesser paid star talent.

New Cap I think is around $60mil. Bass is going to cash in & opt out. Renounce everyone else. Sell your picks or trade them for 2013 picks.

Pierce $16.8
Harden $5.8
Avery $1.6
JJ $1.2

I think there's enough for 2 max. It's all hypothetical. But I would rather go broke & take shot at 2 superstars.

[Who]

I wanted to trade Rondo for him in draft. My biased opinion YES!!   Harden still on his rookie contract, so he opens up some cap room. Celtics can take a shot at Dwight+Deron package 2012. Sign them both to Max Deal.

12/13
Deron
Harden
Pierce
KG
Dwight

Now that there is an excellent argument as to why to make this trade.

Free Agency = Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to combine with Harden and Pierce

Edit: Hang on, I don't think that is possible. Pierce at just under $17mil and Harden at under $6mil. Even if you moved Bradley, JJ and the two first rounders and had nothing but cap holds for the empty roster spots (10 * $500k). That still wouldn't leave you enough room to sign both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard to max contracts. Would need to trade Pierce for a lesser paid star talent.

New Cap I think is around $60mil. Bass is going to cash in & opt out. Renounce everyone else. Sell your picks.

Pierce $16.8
Harden $5.8
Avery $1.6
JJ $1.2

I think there's enough for 2 max

It's the cap holds for the empty roster spots. You have to account for a minimum of 12 players and if you have open roster spots those empty spots count for the league minimum -- somewhere around $500k (league minimum for rookie).

So with those four guys on the books, you'd have 8 roster spots at $500k apiece so another $4 million on the books giving you a new total of $29.4 million total.

Leaving a shade over $30.5 million in cap space. Deron and Dwight would have to take a pay-cut like LeBron and Wade did to come here.

I believe Dallas are in a similar situation. They need Deron and Dwight to sacrifice some money to get both of them.

[OmarSekou]

I wouldn't make the trade because Rondo's a better player at a more important position who has great chemistry with our team. Given that Danny traded Perk for Jeff Green I wouldn't put it past him to take a worse player at a position of less need in order to shake things up.

I think OKC would definitely consider it. Perk would be hyping up Rondo and they could try and make a 2 guard system work like the Clippers do.

[slamtheking]

I wouldn't do it because Harden is one of the players I'd make a run at when he becomes a RFA.  OKC will be hardpressed to afford Durant, Westbrook, Perk AND Harden.  Something's got to give there.  Never mind having to pay Ibaka too.

Getting him as a RFA is a definite possibility.  Why trade away Rondo when we could have both.

[Celtics4ever]

No I would not.  SG and SF are the easiest positions to fill on a team.

[jasail]

No.  But I'd trade Rondo in a heart beat for a younger PF/C that can score in the post. 

They will continue to have too many games like tonight, when the offense disappears for long periods when the jump shots don't fall.

I'm a fan of Rondo's game, but I'm not sure he is the PG for this team as they age.  I think they need a post presence more than they need a court general.

[Senninsage]

Uhh, hell yes I would.

[LarBrd33]

no

[Yoki_IsTheName]

No. I like Harden though, but not for Rondo straight up. Rondo, when not struglling brings more production.

Maynor/Harden/Collison/pick

for

Rondo.

Maybe.