Josh Smith seems to desperately want to play for the Celtics

[LarBrd33]

Sign Deron Williams this offseason.  Trade Rondo for Josh Smith.  Atlanta will jump at it.  We get an upgrade at PG and a replacement big man for Kevin Garnett when he retires.    

(dodges tomatoes)

... if Ray and KG decide to sign for cheap we can field a team of PG - Deron Williams, SG - Bradley/Ray, SF - Pierce, PF - Josh Smith, C - KG ... Heck, if Ray and KG want to sign for the vet minimum we might even have enough money to sign Jeff Green and Bass too.

(dodges beer mugs)

Fine.  Be that way.  If Smith wants to play here he'll have to wait until next offseason when he's a free agent.  I'm not sure if we'll have cap space, though.  By then Ray and KG will be gone.  Pierce will probably be done too.  WE can build around Rondo, Smith and late 1st round mediocre talent.

(Uproarious Applause!!!)

It's always either trade Rondo or stink it up whenever a rumor even remotely related to Rondo is brought up. There's no in between.

You'd probably end up losing out if you trade Rondo since his contract is smaller than it should be. There are other free agents in 2013 (unlike in 2012).

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

Anyway, after this season, how can anyone be so certain Deron Williams + Josh Smith + mediocre first round talent > Rondo + Josh Smith + mediocre first round talent?

And how do you know that the big three won't leave the moment you trade Rondo because unlike many here, they have quite a high opinion of Rondo (as celticslove pointed out). Rondo is like family to them.

I agree with a lot of what you say up until the last point.  I don't think we'd be hearing all of these Rondo trade rumors over the past year if there wasn't a bit of drama behind the scenes.  I'm not so sure the Big 3 get along with him much off the court.

[LooseCannon]

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

We've seen what it's like when talented friends get together in Miami.  Will they have chemistry or will they reinforce each others' worst traits?

There is a decent chance that the two playing together will lead to Rondo dishing the ball to Smith for an open jumper more often than is warranted.

[bfrombleacher]

Sign Deron Williams this offseason.  Trade Rondo for Josh Smith.  Atlanta will jump at it.  We get an upgrade at PG and a replacement big man for Kevin Garnett when he retires.    

(dodges tomatoes)

... if Ray and KG decide to sign for cheap we can field a team of PG - Deron Williams, SG - Bradley/Ray, SF - Pierce, PF - Josh Smith, C - KG ... Heck, if Ray and KG want to sign for the vet minimum we might even have enough money to sign Jeff Green and Bass too.

(dodges beer mugs)

Fine.  Be that way.  If Smith wants to play here he'll have to wait until next offseason when he's a free agent.  I'm not sure if we'll have cap space, though.  By then Ray and KG will be gone.  Pierce will probably be done too.  WE can build around Rondo, Smith and late 1st round mediocre talent.

(Uproarious Applause!!!)

It's always either trade Rondo or stink it up whenever a rumor even remotely related to Rondo is brought up. There's no in between.

You'd probably end up losing out if you trade Rondo since his contract is smaller than it should be. There are other free agents in 2013 (unlike in 2012).

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

Anyway, after this season, how can anyone be so certain Deron Williams + Josh Smith + mediocre first round talent > Rondo + Josh Smith + mediocre first round talent?

And how do you know that the big three won't leave the moment you trade Rondo because unlike many here, they have quite a high opinion of Rondo (as celticslove pointed out). Rondo is like family to them.

I agree with a lot of what you say up until the last point.  I don't think we'd be hearing all of these Rondo trade rumors over the past year if there wasn't a bit of drama behind the scenes.  I'm not so sure the Big 3 get along with him much off the court.

TP. I respect that you actually took the time to read my post taking into account that Rondo is probably one of your less favorite star/starter in Celtic history and that, I'll admit (and apologize), my post is a bit aggressive.

I didn't mean to offend or start anything but rebuilding with Rondo isn't impossible as people keep saying, which makes it kind of frustrating.

Maybe I exaggerated a little on the last bit. Pierce does not seem to like passing to Rondo at times. Ray has said that he would prioritize money.

KG is probably the one who will stay for Rondo (again, as celticslove said). They're like brothers.

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

We've seen what it's like when talented friends get together in Miami.  Will they have chemistry or will they reinforce each others' worst traits?

There is a decent chance that the two playing together will lead to Rondo dishing the ball to Smith for an open jumper more often than is warranted.

Point taken. I can't bear to watch Heat basketball but when I did, I...just have no words. Even as just a casual basketball hobbyist, it's ugly. The Clippers are probably the only other team who have less discipline.

That said, we do have Doc Rivers. Who knows how it'll pan out though.

[j804]

If we were to make it to the Finals win or loss I'm all for keeping KG, Rondo and them all together unless Ray wants to walk and  then reloading for a run next year w/ Jeff Geen Wilcox etc

[BballTim]

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

We've seen what it's like when talented friends get together in Miami.  Will they have chemistry or will they reinforce each others' worst traits?

There is a decent chance that the two playing together will lead to Rondo dishing the ball to Smith for an open jumper more often than is warranted.

  Or there's a decent chance that Smith will get tired of jumping from all the alley-oops he'll be finishing, or that having an athletic big to run with Rondo on the break will give us a killer transition game.

[LooseCannon]

Plus, Smith is friends with Rondo. As Celtic fans you should know how important chemistry is.

We've seen what it's like when talented friends get together in Miami.  Will they have chemistry or will they reinforce each others' worst traits?

There is a decent chance that the two playing together will lead to Rondo dishing the ball to Smith for an open jumper more often than is warranted.

  Or there's a decent chance that Smith will get tired of jumping from all the alley-oops he'll be finishing, or that having an athletic big to run with Rondo on the break will give us a killer transition game.

Or you get that for three quarters and the Josh Smith jumper replaces the Pierce iso in fourth quarter situations.

[OmarSekou]

If we got Smith I assume that Rondo would be the alpha dog in that relationship.

Their skill sets are complementary and they get along well. Sounds like a good fit to me. The only question I have is what would happen to Jeff Green?

[pearljammer10]

One can dream. And i hope one day in the next couple years I will be able to see Smith in Green. Im a huge fan.

[hpantazo]

If we got Smith I assume that Rondo would be the alpha dog in that relationship.

Their skill sets are complementary and they get along well. Sounds like a good fit to me. The only question I have is what would happen to Jeff Green?

We need more than 2 good players post big 3. Josh Smith is a PF, Green would be fine at SF.

[TripleOT]

Less than 5% of Smith's shots were threes this past season.  He's only a 26% shooter,and I'd prefer that Smith takes no threes, but I'm not going to write him off because he takes a few threes. 

Smith needs to play with a game controlling PG to get the most out of Smith's strengths on offense.  He's upped his rebounding, is good at passing the ball, plays defense, and blocks shots, although he's undersized for a PF.

I don't think the Cs have the assets to grab Smith this summer, unless the Hawks want a one year rental on Pierce and the Cs are willing to trade their loyal captain.

Bradley's stock is up, but I don't want the Celtics trading him, a cost controlled young player who is already a top of the league defender and was at the top of the league for guards in FG% and 3FG%.  50/40/80 are impressive shooting numbers for a guy in an NBA rotation for the first time.

I'd rather wait a season and sign Smith for no compensation if the fix is in with him and Rondo, or wait until the deadline and trade flotsam and a pick for him.  If ATL wants to sign Ray Allen, and the Cs aren't, a S and T with RA and a pick for Smith would be good for both parties.

Even for a few years, a team with KG, Smith PP, Bradley and Rondo would be SICK defensively.  Smith playing with this line up would get a ton of easy opportunities, both in transition, and under the hoop in the half court, with KG spreading the floor for him.  Instead of those Bass jumpers from 15 feet (great int he regular season, disastrous in the playoffs), Smith could catch the ball in space and take one dribble and be at the rim to finish. 

Smith would also become the best drive and dish guy on the Cs after Rondo.  The guy has a ton of skills, and showed me in the series that he's a gamer.  Imagine Game 1 Josh Smith on a steady basis as a Celtic.