I hope the Celtics front office is keeping an open mind about possibly trading him if it can put us in a better position to compete for a title this year. I know alot of you will disagree with me but i see Rondo far from untouchable.
Let me just say that over the past 5 years Rondo has become one of my favorite players to watch and has more than earned my respect with his gutsy performances in the playoffs but i'm far from convinced that he's the best player to have running this years team because of how much he dominates the ball. I know it's an unpopular opinion but i just think guys like Jason Terry and Jeff Green could do alot more damage on the offensive end if Rondo wasn't dribbling at the top of the key for half the shot clock. Guys like that need more ball handling time.
From what i've seen from the games without Rondo this year is that the Celtics arent so horrible without him. Pierce, Lee and Terry are capable of stepping up with more ball handling duties.
Rondo's appeal across the league is that he's a potential hall of famer on a VERY reasonable contract. I think that could land us a borderline all star big and a solid PG. No one else on the Celtics roster can net us the type of player Rondo can, not even in package deals.
As good as Rondo is, he'd have to play at an all time great level for this team to be make it to the finals (like 20/13/8) which would be really REALLY tough ecspecially given how the Eastern conference is looking this year.. Not that it can't be done but 6"1 ball dominating point guards don't really tend to be win teams titles. The last few point starting PG's to win titles are Chalmers, Kidd, and Fisher. But all those teams had quality bigs. Something the Celtics desperately need to be in contention.
A few Rondo trades i'd consider...
*Celtics get: Mo Williams & Enes Kanter
Jazz get: Rajon Rondo, Jason Collins & a pick.
Williams/ Terry
Bradley/ Lee
Pierce/ Green
Garnett/ Sullinger/ Bass
Kanter/ Wilcox
Rebuild with Bradley, Green, Sullinger, Kanter. Not shabby at all.
*Celtics get: DeMarcus Cousins, Aaron Brooks & Francisco Garcia
*Kings get: Rajon Rondo, Fab Melo, Kris Joseph and a pick
Terry/ Brooks
Bradley/ Lee
Pierce/ Green
Garnett/ Sullinger/ Bass
Cousins/ Wilcox
*Celtics get: Ty Lawson & JaVale McGee
*Denver gets: Rajon Rondo, Fab Melo, 1st rounder
Lawson/ Terry
Bradley/ Lee
Pierce/ Green
Garnett/ Bass/ Sullinger
McGee/ Wilcox
Let the crucifiction begin.