Insider - Chad Ford Thinks Rondo Most likely Notable Player Traded

[Moranis]

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.

Batum is a 14 point scorer this year and shooting 41.3% from three.  He has gotten consistently better every single year in the league (scoring more this year in less minutes then he did last year) and is still just 23.  Batum has a real chance to be a star.  Matthews is a pretty solid player, though his numbers are down this year which is a concern.  Williams has played ok in this his rookie year.

[clover]

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.

Agreed.  The old axiom that whoever trades away the best player loses usually applies.

[theswitch]

I'm just gonna keep pushing the Philly trade, even if it's not happening

[clover]

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.

Batum is a 14 point scorer this year and shooting 41.3% from three.  He has gotten consistently better every single year in the league (scoring more this year in less minutes then he did last year) and is still just 23.  Batum has a real chance to be a star.  Matthews is a pretty solid player, though his numbers are down this year which is a concern.  Williams has played ok in this his rookie year.

Agreed that Batum has serious potential.

[PosImpos]

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.

Batum is a 14 point scorer this year and shooting 41.3% from three.  He has gotten consistently better every single year in the league (scoring more this year in less minutes then he did last year) and is still just 23.  Batum has a real chance to be a star.  Matthews is a pretty solid player, though his numbers are down this year which is a concern.  Williams has played ok in this his rookie year.

Batum is a nice player and everything, but it seems just as likely to me that he'll never be much more than a nice player.

[indeedproceed]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Batum...eh. Part of me thinks he's headed for 8-10 per year, part of me thinks he's headed for less.

But hey, barring any heart problems, at least we'll have a RFA starting caliber SF prospect.

[snively]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Typical starting roleplayers (especially guards) aren't typically compensated more than Matthews: he's in the Tayshaun Prince range.  Heck, the new MLE rules are already making Matthews types cheaper (Battier got the MMLE, Rip the MLE, Dunleavy somewhere in between).  I'd say he's closer to a bad value than a good one.

[indeedproceed]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Typical starting roleplayers (especially guards) aren't typically compensated more than Matthews: he's in the Tayshaun Prince range.  Heck, the new MLE rules are already making Matthews types cheaper (Battier got the MMLE, Rip the MLE, Dunleavy somewhere in between).  I'd say he's closer to a bad value than a good one.

Battier, Rip, and Dunleavy are all worse players than matthews, by a significant margin. Now, and going forward.

[PosImpos]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Batum...eh. Part of me thinks he's headed for 8-10 per year, part of me thinks he's headed for less.

But hey, barring any heart problems, at least we'll have a RFA starting caliber SF prospect.

. . . and that's worth giving up an All-Star point guard with a well documented history of playing like a HoFer in nationally televised games against top opponents?

[indeedproceed]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Batum...eh. Part of me thinks he's headed for 8-10 per year, part of me thinks he's headed for less.

But hey, barring any heart problems, at least we'll have a RFA starting caliber SF prospect.

. . . and that's worth giving up an All-Star point guard with a well documented history of playing like a HoFer in nationally televised games against top opponents?

I don't know, the ESPN article said Portland. I thought "What trade would I think about doing with Portland?", so I thought, "Well if I had to trade with Portland, what trade would I make?"

And also, let's note here that 'plays like a HOF'er against opponents in nationally televised games' is a pretty generous way of framing Rondo without even touching the negatives, just like "Point guard who can't shoot, thus enabling opponents to pack the paint and play off him, making the offense stagnate." would be an unfair characterization, or "As the best player on a team, with 3 future HOF'ers, still barely managing to stay above .500" would be an unfair way to summarize him.

Rondo's a lot more than the positives, and he's a lot more than the negatives, and despite everything else, we really have no idea how good or bad he'd fair in a rebuilding scenario, which we are likely headed towards.

[PosImpos]

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.

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.

Bargain in that they're both starting caliber players, playing for less than your typical starter.

Batum...eh. Part of me thinks he's headed for 8-10 per year, part of me thinks he's headed for less.

But hey, barring any heart problems, at least we'll have a RFA starting caliber SF prospect.

. . . and that's worth giving up an All-Star point guard with a well documented history of playing like a HoFer in nationally televised games against top opponents?

I don't know, the ESPN article said Portland. I thought "What trade would I think about doing with Portland?", so I thought, "Well if I had to trade with Portland, what trade would I make?"

And also, let's note here that 'plays like a HOF'er against opponents in nationally televised games' is a pretty generous way of framing Rondo without even touching the negatives, just like "Point guard who can't shoot, thus enabling opponents to pack the paint and play off him, making the offense stagnate." would be an unfair characterization, or "As the best player on a team, with 3 future HOF'ers, still barely managing to stay above .500" would be an unfair way to summarize him.

Rondo's a lot more than the positives, and he's a lot more than the negatives, and despite everything else, we really have no idea how good or bad he'd fair in a rebuilding scenario, which we are likely headed towards.

IP, I'm sure you're well aware that I know full well how to articulate the negatives of Rondo's game.

Still, despite his weaker points, I think I'd rather have Rondo in a rebuilding situation than Wes Matthews and Nic Batum.

I appreciate that this was just your attempt to figure out a somewhat plausible trade scenario with Portland.

[Kane3387]

If we aren't going to be down to rebuild with Rondo then I would look at this deal with Portland.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=72twrmr

Portland gets Rondo (best player in trade) and pairs him with Aldridge to form a nice duo. They also get Doolings expiring, JOs expiring, and Moore to make players and salaries match.

We get Felton (expiring), Crawford (who will opt out), Wallace (who will opt out), and Oden (also expiring).

That gives us a legit chance to contend this season and frees up even more cap space for next season.

A starting lineup of KG, Wallace, Pierce, Ray, and Felton has the potential to be very good.
A bench of Wilcox, Bass, Pietrus, and Crawford gives you a nice 9 man rotation.

Also I would like to have the rights to Oden in hopes he can someday find his way on the court and be a productive player.

[nickagneta]

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

Agree with everything here.

[goCeltics]

only doing a deal with portland if they give up batum and wallace, only a deal with indy if they give up george and one of hill/collison

[ssspence]

only doing a deal with portland if they give up batum and wallace, only a deal with indy if they give up george and one of hill/collison

fully agree with the batum and george portions of this. i'd want collison over hill. i'd take a deal with other blazers than wallace, but not a chance without batum.