Problem: what do Indiana, Atlanta, and Portland have that would be worth giving up Rondo?

Atlanta -- Smith is a nice player but our team isn't any better off with him and without Rondo.

Portland -- Wallace, Batum, Matthews, Felton?  Other than Aldridge, who I presume they aren't interested in trading, none of those names interests me.

Indiana -- George? Granger? Collison? Hansbrough? Hibbert?  I'm guessing George and Hibbert are off the table.  Assuming that's true, I can't imagine what the Pacers could offer that would be worth it.

Quote from: PosImpos on March 08, 2012, 01:27:40 PM

Portland -- Wallace, Batum, Matthews, Felton?  Other than Aldridge, who I presume they aren't interested in trading, none of those names interests me.

Boston Trades: Rajon Rondo
Portland Trades: Batum, Matthews, Elliot Williams

I know some people will say we're nuts to give up Rondo for 3 players who are currently projects/role players, and some other people will say that Portland wouldn't give up that package for Rondo when they have Crash/Felton to trade already. (FTR, I'd be in group B AND group A I think if I just saw it and didn't think of this on my own)

But 3 players, two of which are already capable starters on bargain deals has gotta pique your interest.

I'd never give up Rondo for a player or players that haven't shown enough so far in their career to make me think that they'll ever be better or more valuable than Rondo.

Hence, the package you describe would not interest me one bit.

If the concern is that we'll be a middling lottery team next year, you trade Pierce.  He's the one who is the worst fit for a non-contending year due to his age and the one whose value will depreciate most rapidly.

Quote from: PosImpos on March 08, 2012, 01:42:15 PM

Quote from: IndeedProceed on March 08, 2012, 01:40:22 PM

Quote from: PosImpos on March 08, 2012, 01:27:40 PM

Portland -- Wallace, Batum, Matthews, Felton?  Other than Aldridge, who I presume they aren't interested in trading, none of those names interests me.

Boston Trades: Rajon Rondo
Portland Trades: Batum, Matthews, Elliot Williams

I know some people will say we're nuts to give up Rondo for 3 players who are currently projects/role players, and some other people will say that Portland wouldn't give up that package for Rondo when they have Crash/Felton to trade already. (FTR, I'd be in group B AND group A I think if I just saw it and didn't think of this on my own)

But 3 players, two of which are already capable starters on bargain deals has gotta pique your interest.

I'd never give up Rondo for a player or players that haven't shown enough so far in their career to make me think that they'll ever be better or more valuable than Rondo.

Hence, the package you describe would not interest me one bit.

What about if I threw in a complementary Rod Strickland throwback?

Doubtful.

Quote from: IndeedProceed on March 08, 2012, 01:45:49 PM

Quote from: PosImpos on March 08, 2012, 01:42:15 PM

Quote from: IndeedProceed on March 08, 2012, 01:40:22 PM

Quote from: PosImpos on March 08, 2012, 01:27:40 PM

Portland -- Wallace, Batum, Matthews, Felton?  Other than Aldridge, who I presume they aren't interested in trading, none of those names interests me.

Boston Trades: Rajon Rondo
Portland Trades: Batum, Matthews, Elliot Williams

I know some people will say we're nuts to give up Rondo for 3 players who are currently projects/role players, and some other people will say that Portland wouldn't give up that package for Rondo when they have Crash/Felton to trade already. (FTR, I'd be in group B AND group A I think if I just saw it and didn't think of this on my own)

But 3 players, two of which are already capable starters on bargain deals has gotta pique your interest.

I'd never give up Rondo for a player or players that haven't shown enough so far in their career to make me think that they'll ever be better or more valuable than Rondo.

Hence, the package you describe would not interest me one bit.

What about if I threw in a complementary Rod Strickland throwback?

Doubtful.

More of a Sabonis guy? Vintage Isiah Rider?

More of a Sabonis guy? Vintage Isiah Rider?

Oo, Sabonis, that would be cool.

Matthews is a bargain deal?  He's a decent player on a decent contract.  Batum is a bargain deal for exactly half a season.  Williams is a Jajuan Johnson level prospect.

Well said.

I think we're into the butt-covering phase of the Rondo trade talk.  Here's what happened.  Ainge has been talking with other GMs and has made it clear that Rondo is not untouchable, but that it would take a tremendous offer to get him.  Other GMs went scurrying to media types like Ford to stir up the Rondo talk, hoping that it would somehow put pressure on Ainge to do a deal for less than he wants.  Now Ainge ain't taking the the bait but Ford and others have to keep flogging the story to pretend they're not just tools of whomever feeds him information.

Here's my prediction.  Ainge has got a couple of trades on the table for some of the names we've heard like Beasley or Barbosa, but they're all low ball offers.  Something like JO and two 2nd round picks for Beasley.  Several teams also probably have standing trades for guys like Ray, Paul and Rondo, but they're also low ball offers.  Boston has 4 games before the trade deadline.  If the team either wins 4 in a row or loses 4 in a row and looks bad doing it, Ainge might be moved to either increase his trade offer or take what's being offered to him.  Mostly likely, though, Ainge is going to wait and unless another team meets his price, will just ride it out for the rest of the season and then start rebuilding.

Mike