How about this for a Rondo trade idea?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

It might sound ridiculous but I'm doing it just for discussion purposes. I am against trading Rondo unless we get Lowry or Curry and some good role players for him. But while I was poking around NBA2k12 I tried this one out and it worked.

How about they trade Rondo to the depths of unknown called the Toronto Raptors?

Celtics give:
Rondo, Wilcox, Clips 1st

Raps give:
Calderon, Kleiza, Alabi, their 1st.

Now the details.

Why for Boston:

- Because they want to get rid of Rondo
- Calderon is not a good defender, but is a better shooter and as close as good as a passer and cheaper than 2 million, with less years. So it is at the expense of defense but the Celtics won't lose much on ball movement as Jose is a willing passer.
- Kleiza is not a good defender but can score, something the Celtics need off the bench. Can hit 3 pointers, can drive. But again at the expense on defense (but he's in the second unit so why not). He can be a solid role player. His contract though, albeit just 4 million will stay for 3 years.
- THE PICK, which could be lottery bound (Austin Rivers hopefuls would like the sound of this). Celtics are rebuilding right, what better way to do it than having a lottery pick. Jose and Kleiza isn't taking a lot of what cap space we will have so the ability to sign another big name is still there.
- Alabi is 7'1'' 250 who's a defensive big (back in Florida State at least).


Why for Raps:

- They get Rondo, an All Star
- They get Rondo, an All Star
- They get Rondo, an All Star

- They could also build up a nice core of young players that could potentially be good in the coming years. With them being "aggressive" on landing Wilson Chandler ( and Denver admitting they won't give him the amount of money the Raps are rumored to be willing to offer) and Jonas Valanciunas coming in (assuming all that hype would be right), DeRozan (him and Rondo running the floor), and James Johnson starting to become a good all around 3, and Bargnani starting to live up (at least a little) on that #1 overall pick, that's not a bad core to work with. Plus enough cap space to sign a couple more solid role players after clearing Kleiza off the books. Adding Rondo, an All Star to that potentially solid core would make them even more better. Athletic, fast, shooters, capable defenders (yes Bargs is a good one on one post defender).

- It is at an expense of a lottery pick but they still get a first. Hey, at least they turned it into Rondo, an All Star.
- Wilcox is solid.


I'm just throwing this out here. I don't know if it's a bad or good trade, I'm actually kind of in the middle. What do you think?

[PosImpos]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

Makes sense. Let the Raptors lose to get to atleast close to top 5 and offer. Problem with that though is, what if the Raps have the player they like in the draft?

[Who]

Calderon is nowhere near the passer Rondo is.

A great setup guard and facilitator but not a playmaker. Lacks creativity. Makes sure the ball goes where it's meant to go and gets it there at the right moment. Helps his team get a lot of good percentage shot attempts but few high percentage shot attempts. Low risk player.

Rondo has much, much more to him as a passer. A creator versus a facilitator.

[Who]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

Makes sense. Let the Raptors lose to get to atleast close to top 5 and offer. Problem with that though is, what if the Raps have the player they like in the draft?

I'd love to see Toronto get Harrison Barnes.

PG - Calderon, (L.Barbosa), J.Bayless
SG - DeRozan, G.Forbes
SF - H.Barnes, L.Kleiza
PF - Bargnani, E.Davis
C  - Valanciounas, A.Johnson

That would be a nice young team to begin building around.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Calderon is nowhere near the passer Rondo is.

A great setup guard and facilitator but not a playmaker. Lacks creativity. Makes sure the ball goes where it's meant to go and gets it there at the right moment. Helps his team get a lot of good percentage shot attempts but few high percentage shot attempts. Low risk player.

Rondo has much, much more to him as a passer. A creator versus a facilitator.

That's right. But he is a better shooter. Now teams have to commit to him playing defense and not send two guys running after Ray off screen or making sure Pierce doesn't get the ball. He's very good on pick and roll situations as he can pull up or hand off on cutters. He can drive inside just fine, not as fast though as Rondo and he can find open people. He is not a good creator by any points like Rondo is, but he's a PG who will distribute and will find the right players at the right time, just like you said. He isn't an upgrade for Rondo, but he'll do just fine.

And the pick Who, the PICK.  

[Who]

Calderon is nowhere near the passer Rondo is.

A great setup guard and facilitator but not a playmaker. Lacks creativity. Makes sure the ball goes where it's meant to go and gets it there at the right moment. Helps his team get a lot of good percentage shot attempts but few high percentage shot attempts. Low risk player.

Rondo has much, much more to him as a passer. A creator versus a facilitator.

That's right. But he is a better shooter. Now teams have to commit to him playing defense and not send two guys running after Ray off screen or making sure Pierce doesn't get the ball. He is not a creator by any points like Rondo is, but he's a PG who will distribute and will find the right players at the right time, just like you said. He isn't an upgrade for Rondo, but he'll do just fine.

And the pick Who, the PICK. 

- Calderon is not a good defender, but is a better shooter and as close as good as a passer and cheaper than 2 million, with less years.

Oh sorry, I wasn't the trade ... It was the he's nearly as good of a passer as Rondo line. I just wanted to say there is a large difference in the quality and respective contribution of each player's passing ability.

As for the trade itself, the trade is a fine idea.

I would be in the same boat as PosImpos in that I wouldn't make the deal until the summer when, and only if, I was guaranteed a top five pick in return. Assuming a top five pick, the trade is good. Should be able to net an All-Star caliber prospect with that top five pick.

Rondo and a late first for a top five pick and Calderon is a good return.

[Who]

Calderon is nowhere near the passer Rondo is.

A great setup guard and facilitator but not a playmaker. Lacks creativity. Makes sure the ball goes where it's meant to go and gets it there at the right moment. Helps his team get a lot of good percentage shot attempts but few high percentage shot attempts. Low risk player.

Rondo has much, much more to him as a passer. A creator versus a facilitator.

That's right. But he is a better shooter. Now teams have to commit to him playing defense and not send two guys running after Ray off screen or making sure Pierce doesn't get the ball. He is not a creator by any points like Rondo is, but he's a PG who will distribute and will find the right players at the right time, just like you said. He isn't an upgrade for Rondo, but he'll do just fine.

And the pick Who, the PICK. 

- Calderon is not a good defender, but is a better shooter and as close as good as a passer and cheaper than 2 million, with less years.

Oh sorry, I wasn't the trade ... It was the he's nearly as good of a passer as Rondo line. I just wanted to say there is a large difference in the quality and respective contribution of each player's passing ability.

As for the trade itself, the trade is a fine idea.

I would be in the same boat as PosImpos in that I wouldn't make the deal until the summer when, and only if, I was guaranteed a top five pick in return. Assuming a top five pick, the trade is good. Should be able to net an All-Star caliber prospect with that top five pick.

Rondo and a late first for a top five pick and Calderon is a good return.

Actually, the deal might be better without Calderon in it. Make a straight swap; Rondo for top 5 pick. 

Then use the cap space in another way. Keep the late first.

I mean, if you are trading Rondo, you are not in a win-now mode anymore so that cap flexibility might offer more value than Calderon would. Plus, you get to keep the pick.

Hail Mary / Dream Scenario

Plus, if Dwight doesn't get traded, I'd love to see Danny try to sell Dwight + Deron on coming to Boston to play with Paul Pierce and the top 5 pick (say Jared Sullinger). Obviously a low likelihood of happening but once in a position to make that type of an offer, I'd like to see Danny make and see if he can sell it. Maybe he can.

PG - Deron
SG -
SF - Pierce
PF - Sullinger
C  - Dwight

Paul Pierce gives them a strong two way player who may be at or near All-Star caliber play next season. A 16-18ppg threat and quality wing defender and rebounder. Jared Sullinger gives them a good scorer/rebounder at the four. Someone young who can give Dwight and Deron a third star to play with in years to come and be a quality role player level contributor in the immediate sense.

If you could convince KG and Ray to come back on miniscule contracts.

PG - Deron
SG - Ray
SF - Pierce
PF - Garnett, Sullinger (sixth man)
C  - Dwight

I think that is something Danny could sell ... combined with a Championship proven owner, front office and coaching staff.

It may not end up being the winning offer but it certainly is a very attractive offer. One that would garner serious consideration from Dwight and Deron. 

Anyway

So, yeah, alternatively they could do something else with the cap space. Maybe pursue different free agents. Perhaps someone younger. Explore teams looking to move a star with a bad contract or teams looking willing to sacrifice picks to move a bad deal. Lots of different avenues.

It may be worth keeping those avenues open rather than taking back Calderon since the C's wouldn't be in a win-now mode with Calderon on the roster.

[Geo123]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

Makes sense. Let the Raptors lose to get to atleast close to top 5 and offer. Problem with that though is, what if the Raps have the player they like in the draft?

I'd love to see Toronto get Harrison Barnes.

PG - Calderon, (L.Barbosa), J.Bayless
SG - DeRozan, G.Forbes
SF - H.Barnes, L.Kleiza
PF - Bargnani, E.Davis
C  - Valanciounas, A.Johnson

That would be a nice young team to begin building around.

That's one of the big reasons why this trade won't happen.  Toronto isn't going to give up a lottery pick in this draft for Rondo, sorry...

[PosImpos]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

Makes sense. Let the Raptors lose to get to atleast close to top 5 and offer. Problem with that though is, what if the Raps have the player they like in the draft?

I'd love to see Toronto get Harrison Barnes.

PG - Calderon, (L.Barbosa), J.Bayless
SG - DeRozan, G.Forbes
SF - H.Barnes, L.Kleiza
PF - Bargnani, E.Davis
C  - Valanciounas, A.Johnson

That would be a nice young team to begin building around.

That's one of the big reasons why this trade won't happen.  Toronto isn't going to give up a lottery pick in this draft for Rondo, sorry...

It all depends on how Toronto views the players available and what role they might play on their team.  It may be that Toronto would rather get out of a couple bad / expensive contracts (Kleiza / Calderon) and get a sure-thing All-Star level point guard to distribute the ball to their main guys (DeRozan, Valanciunas, Bargnani) rather than gamble on one of the wing prospects.

If Danny, on the other hand, thinks one of the guys he can take there will be a star, he could perhaps convince the Raps to exchange the pick for Rondo and one or both of our mid to late 1st rounders.

[Who]

Would have to be a draft day trade, in my opinion.  No point in trading Rondo right now for a lottery pick -- especially since he'd likely win the Raptors a few games between now and then.

Makes sense. Let the Raptors lose to get to atleast close to top 5 and offer. Problem with that though is, what if the Raps have the player they like in the draft?

I'd love to see Toronto get Harrison Barnes.

PG - Calderon, (L.Barbosa), J.Bayless
SG - DeRozan, G.Forbes
SF - H.Barnes, L.Kleiza
PF - Bargnani, E.Davis
C  - Valanciounas, A.Johnson

That would be a nice young team to begin building around.

That's one of the big reasons why this trade won't happen.  Toronto isn't going to give up a lottery pick in this draft for Rondo, sorry...

It all depends on how Toronto views the players available and what role they might play on their team.  It may be that Toronto would rather get out of a couple bad / expensive contracts (Kleiza / Calderon) and get a sure-thing All-Star level point guard to distribute the ball to their main guys (DeRozan, Valanciunas, Bargnani) rather than gamble on one of the wing prospects.

If Danny, on the other hand, thinks one of the guys he can take there will be a star, he could perhaps convince the Raps to exchange the pick for Rondo and one or both of our mid to late 1st rounders.

If Toronto can get Harrison Barnes, I'd be shocked if they willing to trade the pick for Rondo.

If it is a Jared Sullinger or Thomas Robinson, I think the trade is a possibility.

[fugazzi24]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6rfwdcp


This ones works for me. 

Rondo and Jermaine to Jazz

Millsap and Harris to Lakers

Pau Gasol to Celtics


We start next season with Gasol $18mm, Garnet $5mm, Pierce $16mm, Allen $5mm and try to add OJ Mayo $7mm to play the point.  I was watching OJ play the point the other day with Memphis 2nd unit and he was very solid.  Then we spend the rest of our money on some solid bench pieces.