Not saying I want to trade Rondo, but if we did, what would you demand?

[Freebo]

If I;m giving Rondo, I want Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Michael Jordan

[Atzar]

Forgive me, for I am about to blaspheme.  

If that Pierce + pick for Evans + #5 rumor was accurate, then I'd seriously consider throwing Rondo and whatever else at Orlando for Dwight Howard.  Rondo's value is at an all-time high, and Howard's is just the opposite.  If you can manage to nab Dwight for Rondo without losing the #5 in the process, then that's phenomenal.

Then, throw the bank at Deron Williams.  We've already heard that he wants to join Dwight somewhere.  He'd also fit with Evans and Dwight better than Rondo, simply because he's a threat from outside.  A core of Williams, Evans, Dwight, the #5 and possibly Jeff Green looks like a very good group on paper.  

I don't know if this is realistic.  That Pierce-to-Kings deal was probably bull, and I'd hate to send Paul to that sinking ship anyway.  And I'm also probably underestimating the package it would take to land Dwight.  But whatever.  I'm blaspheming, so it's okay.    

[Chief Macho]

I think Rondo's time as trade bait is over.   Get this guy alot of dudes that can run and gun.  He should be a Celtic for life. 

[SHAQATTACK]

He is a special player, nobody really ever like him ,  .   Unique , ie like Stockton, Kidd or Magic Johnson. 

If he contiunes to improve his skill sets and stays healthy , he is a sure hall of famer one day. 

He reminds me of a short meadowlark lemon making and improvising all the time .

He needs some young legs to make the most of his skills at this point in his career.

[bfrombleacher]

I'm not being unreasonable in saying we should not trade Rondo for any other point guard at this point, right?

[pearljammer10]

If I;m giving Rondo, I want Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Michael Jordan

Im with you man. I would take nothing less.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

If I;m giving Rondo, I want Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Michael Jordan

Im with you man. I would take nothing less.

Ha, I was going to write that...give me Jordon, or Bird, or Magic...all must be Rondo's age though....otherwise...next post.

[Greenas]

I wouldn't trade him for anything less than a superstar scorer. Even then I'd think long and hard about it. A pure PG of his calibre in a PG dominated league, not to mention all the history he's had with the team, is something that doesn't come very often.

[Chris]

Dwight Howard.  And I think that will be Danny's price as well.

[LarBrd33]

I have no interest in trading Rondo.  He's my favorite player to watch on the Celtics.  Hope he can just continue playing as well as he did in the playoffs even though that is very unlikely.


But there are certain situations that I'd have to say "yes" to.


#1 - A Superstar -  Rondo isn't a superstar.  LeBron, Durant and Dwight Howard are superstars.  They can't win titles on their own, but simply having them with the right pieces makes you a contender.  You'd have to have a perfect storm of talent around Rondo to win a title... with a true superstar, it's a heck of a lot easier.  A lot of people's definition of superstar differs.  I look at it as whoever is a "top 5" talent in the league.  Kobe, Shaq, Duncan and KG were definitely "superstars" in their prime.  Most folks (outside of Boston, at least) seem to acknowledge that Chris Paul is a superstar... which is why Danny went so hard at him the past offseason (and rightfully so).  If Dwight Howard is available... I have to think Ainge will do his due diligence to see if acquiring him is possible.  They have already admitted that they'd only trade Rondo if it was for a superstar talent... this is what they are talking about.

#2 - A trade for a young talent still on his rookie contract if it's part of a bigger more elaborate "big picture" plan.  This one is a bit trickier.  Our mythical "cap space" is actually a lot less than folks think.  25 million doesn't got very far when you have the option of bringing back KG, Ray, Bass and Jeff Green using bird rights (and exceeding the cap to do it).  So... if Ainge is getting really creative and thinks shedding an additional 5-6 mil by trading Rondo for a young talent will help... then maybe you do it.

Example: Giving you a crazy example:  Say Ainge had some grand plan involving signing Deron Williams (best unrestricted free agent available).  Trading Rondo for a player under rookie contract could potentially make sense.  Off the top of my head... what if Sacramento decided they didn't want to deal with DeMarcus Cousins despite his incredible talent (21 year old 7 foot 280 pound big man who is already an automatic 20 point, 11 rebound, 2 block guy)  ... Cousins makes less than 4 mil next year.  Rondo makes 11.  You'd free up an additional 7 million by doing it... which means you now have 32 million in cap space.  Give KG his 8 mil.  Give Jeff Green his 5 mil. Give Ray his 5 mil.  You now still have enough money to give Deron Williams a healthy contract and march out the following lineup next year:  PG - Deron, SG - Bradley/Ray, SF - Pierce/Jeff Green, PF - KG, C - Cousins...  It just gives extra flexibility.   

Alternatively...  Ainge apparently had interest in trading Rondo for Stephen Curry last year and Golden State turned us down.  I love Steph Curry.  His injury issues are bothersome, but I think he's an incredible shooter.  Once again, Steph makes under 4 mil next year... From a pure talent standpoint, I'd probably rather have Rondo.  But if trading Rondo for Curry is going to give us the flexibility to go hard at a restricted free agent like Roy Hibbert (while keeping Ray, KG and Jeff Green)... MAYBE it makes sense.   

Again... only if it's part of a "big picture" move.  I see it as a 2-for-1.  Would I trade Rondo for Steph Curry?  Prob not.  But Rondo for Steph Curry and Roy Hibbert?... probably.  Would I trade Rondo for Cousins?  Probably not.  But Rondo for Cousins and Deron Williams?  Absolutely (if KG can be a mentor for Cousins).  THere are a lot of players you'd have to think hard about... Kyrie Irving,  Ricky Rubio, maybe a player in the top 5 (if Ainge REALLY covets someone)... Arguably even someone like Brandon Jennings if it's part of a brilliant grand scheme (Jennings makes 3 mil next year... he's 21 years old and showing signs.  Certainly still has potential).   It's all about context.  Again, I absolutely wouldn't trade Rondo for Brandon Jennings... but if it's some grand scheme to free up enough cap room to swallow the contract of a Al Horford or something... you think it over.

[Kane3387]

A superstar and nothing less. I'm talking Howard. Rondo is evolving into one. These playoffs show that.

Edit: I agree with everything larbird33 said.

[SHAQATTACK]

I doubt I would trade Rondo for Kobe at this late stage in Kobe's life.  

No player is like Rondo.  Never seen anybody since Magic that could control a game and never shoot a shot.

When Rondo is on his best game, he is like a champion chess player.  He can dictate the game flow for BOTH teams .  

He is mindboggling good when he is in a zone, Napolean of the NBA .   He uses his teammates like pawns in a chess match to defeat the other team.

[Kane3387]

Forgive me, for I am about to blaspheme.  

If that Pierce + pick for Evans + #5 rumor was accurate, then I'd seriously consider throwing Rondo and whatever else at Orlando for Dwight Howard.  Rondo's value is at an all-time high, and Howard's is just the opposite.  If you can manage to nab Dwight for Rondo without losing the #5 in the process, then that's phenomenal.

Then, throw the bank at Deron Williams.  We've already heard that he wants to join Dwight somewhere.  He'd also fit with Evans and Dwight better than Rondo, simply because he's a threat from outside.  A core of Williams, Evans, Dwight, the #5 and possibly Jeff Green looks like a very good group on paper.  

I don't know if this is realistic.  That Pierce-to-Kings deal was probably bull, and I'd hate to send Paul to that sinking ship anyway.  And I'm also probably underestimating the package it would take to land Dwight.  But whatever.  I'm blaspheming, so it's okay.    

You could alter it a bit having pierce go to Memphis and sac town getting Rudy gay.

[prov1ml34]

I think it is entirely feasible for Danny to work his magic and trade Rondo and whatever else for Dwight Howard and then sign Deron Williams.....think of a lineup of:

PG: Williams SG:Bradley/Ray SF: Pierce/Jeff Green PF: KG/Bass C: Howard/Steamer

That is an amazing lineup. I would have to think Pierce and KG would both wanna stick around and play with that caliber of a team.

The first shoe to fall would have to be Orlando coveting Rondo (or settling for Rondo if the options are limited).

I think you have to alert both Williams and Howard through back channels that this is the ultimate plan. That way they both know whats going and and would be open to Boston. They both want to play with each other.

This would rival the Ray Allen and KG deals of 2008. Its been done once, it can be done again, the stars (pun intended) just need to align. We are bound for some good luck after all the injuries we have sustained over the course of 4 years.

[BleedGreen1989]

My only knock on rondo is his consistency and jump shot. His lack of jump shot hurts our offense at times and teams sag hard.