Why would you trade Rondo to rebuild ?

[PAOBoston]

Why you trade him?

So you can get young assets/draft picks.

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

[LarBrd33]

He's in his prime and this team is nowhere near competing... and we are too cash-strapped to add a superstar to build around even if KG and Pierce are removed from the books.  You're more than likely looking at a lotto team next year even if we hang onto Rondo. 

In a way, it's the same rationalization that Memphis had when they gave away Pau Gasol to the Lakers.  "We suck with him... we'll suck without him... why pay him if we're going to suck either way?"... I'd argue they should have gotten more assets during that trade... but Marc Gasol is certainly no slouch, and they've build a solid playoff team since dumping Pau.

If Rondo was 22 years old, I'd hang onto him, continue to acquire assets, tried to land a superstar to lead the team (Rondo will never be the #1 guy on a title team) and hope for the best... that would give me a good 8 years to build a team involving Rondo.   But as-is... Rondo is 28 years old and coming off major surgery... he's probably not going to be "right" until he's 29 years old in 2014 (that's assuming he ever fully recovers) ... You build teams around draft picks, young assets and cap space... not a 29 year old player who is unlikely to even make an all-star team in the foreseeable future (too much competition in the east for the guard slot)...

So you absolutely trade him if you can land a bluechipper on his rookie deal (like the above Derrick Favors idea someone brought up) or a Top 5 pick. That's far more conducive to a rebuild.

TP...
You can rebuilt a team based in one player that never has been leader of the team or showing lidership. Plus the age...28...

  That's assuming you ignore the comments of every player or coach or front office person associated with the team when you decide that the player isn't a leader.

Rondo's a good leader.  He's a good player.  I think Al Horford is a good leader and good player too... but I don't anticipate there ever being a champion with Al Horford as the best player. 

I don't anticipate a team winning a title with Rondo as the best player either.  If he's your 2nd or 3rd best guy... maybe.  I just don't see how this team would magically add superstar unless we bottom out and draft one... or collect a lot of great assets and make a trade.  WE sent out a ton of assets to land KG.  We have nobody on this team with anywhere near the potential Big Al had in 2007.  I'm not sure we have enough time to luck into a guy like that, develope him for a few years and trade for another aging superstar... by then Rondo will be too old.  Makes the most sense to dump him now and tank for the 2014 draft.

[EJPLAYA]

He's in his prime and this team is nowhere near competing... and we are too cash-strapped to add a superstar to build around even if KG and Pierce are removed from the books.  You're more than likely looking at a lotto team next year even if we hang onto Rondo. 

In a way, it's the same rationalization that Memphis had when they gave away Pau Gasol to the Lakers.  "We suck with him... we'll suck without him... why pay him if we're going to suck either way?"... I'd argue they should have gotten more assets during that trade... but Marc Gasol is certainly no slouch, and they've build a solid playoff team since dumping Pau.

If Rondo was 22 years old, I'd hang onto him, continue to acquire assets, tried to land a superstar to lead the team (Rondo will never be the #1 guy on a title team) and hope for the best... that would give me a good 8 years to build a team involving Rondo.   But as-is... Rondo is 28 years old and coming off major surgery... he's probably not going to be "right" until he's 29 years old in 2014 (that's assuming he ever fully recovers) ... You build teams around draft picks, young assets and cap space... not a 29 year old player who is unlikely to even make an all-star team in the foreseeable future (too much competition in the east for the guard slot)...

So you absolutely trade him if you can land a bluechipper on his rookie deal (like the above Derrick Favors idea someone brought up) or a Top 5 pick. That's far more conducive to a rebuild.

TP...
You can rebuilt a team based in one player that never has been leader of the team or showing lidership. Plus the age...28...

  That's assuming you ignore the comments of every player or coach or front office person associated with the team when you decide that the player isn't a leader.

That's assuming you ignore the fact that they have tried hard to move Rondo the past couple of years with not much luck. Why would the C's say ANYTHING negative in the press about Rondo? Does that really surprise you? They were trying to trade him, so they want him to have the most market value possible. If they couldn't trade him they don't want a public statement questioning his leadership which would make him act even worse. You're really trying to insinuate that they would intentionally be that stupid in the media?! 

[LooseCannon]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

[BballTim]

He's in his prime and this team is nowhere near competing... and we are too cash-strapped to add a superstar to build around even if KG and Pierce are removed from the books.  You're more than likely looking at a lotto team next year even if we hang onto Rondo. 

In a way, it's the same rationalization that Memphis had when they gave away Pau Gasol to the Lakers.  "We suck with him... we'll suck without him... why pay him if we're going to suck either way?"... I'd argue they should have gotten more assets during that trade... but Marc Gasol is certainly no slouch, and they've build a solid playoff team since dumping Pau.

If Rondo was 22 years old, I'd hang onto him, continue to acquire assets, tried to land a superstar to lead the team (Rondo will never be the #1 guy on a title team) and hope for the best... that would give me a good 8 years to build a team involving Rondo.   But as-is... Rondo is 28 years old and coming off major surgery... he's probably not going to be "right" until he's 29 years old in 2014 (that's assuming he ever fully recovers) ... You build teams around draft picks, young assets and cap space... not a 29 year old player who is unlikely to even make an all-star team in the foreseeable future (too much competition in the east for the guard slot)...

So you absolutely trade him if you can land a bluechipper on his rookie deal (like the above Derrick Favors idea someone brought up) or a Top 5 pick. That's far more conducive to a rebuild.

TP...
You can rebuilt a team based in one player that never has been leader of the team or showing lidership. Plus the age...28...

  That's assuming you ignore the comments of every player or coach or front office person associated with the team when you decide that the player isn't a leader.

Rondo's a good leader.  He's a good player.  I think Al Horford is a good leader and good player too... but I don't anticipate there ever being a champion with Al Horford as the best player. 

  Would your opinion of Horford change if he'd taken the Hawks to the ecf and the finals in the last 3-4 years?

[BballTim]

He's in his prime and this team is nowhere near competing... and we are too cash-strapped to add a superstar to build around even if KG and Pierce are removed from the books.  You're more than likely looking at a lotto team next year even if we hang onto Rondo. 

In a way, it's the same rationalization that Memphis had when they gave away Pau Gasol to the Lakers.  "We suck with him... we'll suck without him... why pay him if we're going to suck either way?"... I'd argue they should have gotten more assets during that trade... but Marc Gasol is certainly no slouch, and they've build a solid playoff team since dumping Pau.

If Rondo was 22 years old, I'd hang onto him, continue to acquire assets, tried to land a superstar to lead the team (Rondo will never be the #1 guy on a title team) and hope for the best... that would give me a good 8 years to build a team involving Rondo.   But as-is... Rondo is 28 years old and coming off major surgery... he's probably not going to be "right" until he's 29 years old in 2014 (that's assuming he ever fully recovers) ... You build teams around draft picks, young assets and cap space... not a 29 year old player who is unlikely to even make an all-star team in the foreseeable future (too much competition in the east for the guard slot)...

So you absolutely trade him if you can land a bluechipper on his rookie deal (like the above Derrick Favors idea someone brought up) or a Top 5 pick. That's far more conducive to a rebuild.

TP...
You can rebuilt a team based in one player that never has been leader of the team or showing lidership. Plus the age...28...

  That's assuming you ignore the comments of every player or coach or front office person associated with the team when you decide that the player isn't a leader.

That's assuming you ignore the fact that they have tried hard to move Rondo the past couple of years with not much luck.

  It's a fact that Danny looked into trading Rondo for CP3 before the 11-12 season. It's a fact that he's steadfastly denied trying to trade Rondo since then. You might have the opinion that Danny's trying to trade Rondo but nothing more than that.

[LooseCannon]

That's assuming you ignore the fact that they have tried hard to move Rondo the past couple of years with not much luck.

  It's a fact that Danny looked into trading Rondo for CP3 before the 11-12 season. It's a fact that he's steadfastly denied trying to trade Rondo since then. You might have the opinion that Danny's trying to trade Rondo but nothing more than that.

I think the consensus around the league is that Ainge constantly talks about trades to gather information, but was probably only serious about trading Rondo in negotiations for Chris Paul.

[Celtics18]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

Yes.

I'm no salary cap expert, but it definitely looks like we'll have some salary cap space in the summer of 2014.   Let's see what we can do when that time comes.  In the meantime, let's keep building and developing our assets, and biding our time. 

The rush to the basement approach, simply, has a much lower chance at yielding a competitive team any time in the near future.   

[PAOBoston]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

When was the last time the Celtics signed a max free agent? Well, never. I think to expect to sign a max type player is foolish. It's never happened and it's not gonna happen, especially with Rondo/Green as the other "centerpieces" on the team.

The way the Celtics have always built their teams is through the draft and trades. In order to get/trade for impact players, you need to stockpile young talent/picks. The only players on the team right now that can net you anything significant is rondo, and to a lesser extent green (unless the clippers are completely insane and somehow do that deal rumoured today. but dont hold your breath though).

Nobody said rebuidling was easy or fun. It's a process. And in the nba sometimes you have to bottom out to get back up. Keeping Rondo and Green makes you good enough to be mediocre and mediocrity in the nba = purgatory. And i just dont get why some people would rather the team try and make the playoffs with a mediocre team knowing fully well they have no shot to win it all.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I wouldn't.......he is the lowest paid star pg in the league....trade him and......get used to seasons ending like this one.!

[CelticConcourse]

I wouldn't.......he is the lowest paid star pg (that is not on a rookie contract) in the league....trade him and......get used to seasons ending like this one.!

[rondohondo]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

When was the last time the Celtics signed a max free agent? Well, never. I think to expect to sign a max type player is foolish. It's never happened and it's not gonna happen, especially with Rondo/Green as the other "centerpieces" on the team.

The way the Celtics have always built their teams is through the draft and trades. In order to get/trade for impact players, you need to stockpile young talent/picks. The only players on the team right now that can net you anything significant is rondo, and to a lesser extent green (unless the clippers are completely insane and somehow do that deal rumoured today. but dont hold your breath though).

Nobody said rebuidling was easy or fun. It's a process. And in the nba sometimes you have to bottom out to get back up. Keeping Rondo and Green makes you good enough to be mediocre and mediocrity in the nba = purgatory. And i just dont get why some people would rather the team try and make the playoffs with a mediocre team knowing fully well they have no shot to win it all.

when have they ever had money to offer a max contract ?

Never is the answer

and they have a top 5 pg , who loves to pass the ball .

If you have the money , players will come to Boston

It's already known Josh Smith would sign here

Al Jefferson also mentioned how he would enjoy returning to Boston , given the opportunity .

No they aren't superstars , but big name players clearly would play here .

Cousins even raved about playing with Rondo at a Kentucky camp last summer . He will be a restricted free agent next year and UFA the year after .

[LooseCannon]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

When was the last time the Celtics signed a max free agent? Well, never. I think to expect to sign a max type player is foolish. It's never happened and it's not gonna happen, especially with Rondo/Green as the other "centerpieces" on the team.

I said "add a max-contract guy".  I didn't say "sign a max-contract free agent".  One scenario that I think has an outside shot of happening is the Grizzlies doing a salary dump and getting rid of Marc Gasol or Zach Randolph.  They will be older players at that point, but I am interested in signing a player who will be a Celtic for life rather than one who will be a Celtic for ten years.

[Celtics18]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

When was the last time the Celtics signed a max free agent? Well, never. I think to expect to sign a max type player is foolish. It's never happened and it's not gonna happen, especially with Rondo/Green as the other "centerpieces" on the team.

The way the Celtics have always built their teams is through the draft and trades. In order to get/trade for impact players, you need to stockpile young talent/picks. The only players on the team right now that can net you anything significant is rondo, and to a lesser extent green (unless the clippers are completely insane and somehow do that deal rumoured today. but dont hold your breath though).

Nobody said rebuidling was easy or fun. It's a process. And in the nba sometimes you have to bottom out to get back up. Keeping Rondo and Green makes you good enough to be mediocre and mediocrity in the nba = purgatory. And i just dont get why some people would rather the team try and make the playoffs with a mediocre team knowing fully well they have no shot to win it all.

If you are going with the "we are such a loser destination that nobody would ever consider signing with us" line, then what makes you think that the dream young stud that we'll get through the draft by tanking will resign with us once he comes up for his first big pay day?

We'll certainly have a better shot at signing a max free agent if we keep our best player, who happens to be one of the elite passers in the game (someone who won't be competing for shots with the elite scorers, but instead looking to set them up for easy buckets), than if we decide to tank and build a roster around rookie and short term contracts for the foreseeable future. 

The primary reason for wanting to keep Rondo is not to squeak into the playoffs as a bottom seed for the next few years, but rather because keeping him actually gives us a better shot to rebuild a contender quicker than tanking does. 

[PAOBoston]

The c's arent going anywhere anytime soon. Might as well blow it up and start from scratch b/c the c's wont be bad enough for high lotoo picks with Rondo on the team.

There's a reasonable chance that the Celtics can make moves in the summer of 2014 to add a max-contract guy to a core consisting of Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Bradley.  If there's even a 25% chance of that happening, that probably brings the Celtics closer to a title in the near future than blowing it up and starting from scratch.

When was the last time the Celtics signed a max free agent? Well, never. I think to expect to sign a max type player is foolish. It's never happened and it's not gonna happen, especially with Rondo/Green as the other "centerpieces" on the team.

The way the Celtics have always built their teams is through the draft and trades. In order to get/trade for impact players, you need to stockpile young talent/picks. The only players on the team right now that can net you anything significant is rondo, and to a lesser extent green (unless the clippers are completely insane and somehow do that deal rumoured today. but dont hold your breath though).

Nobody said rebuidling was easy or fun. It's a process. And in the nba sometimes you have to bottom out to get back up. Keeping Rondo and Green makes you good enough to be mediocre and mediocrity in the nba = purgatory. And i just dont get why some people would rather the team try and make the playoffs with a mediocre team knowing fully well they have no shot to win it all.

when have they ever had money to offer a max contract ?

Never is the answer

and they have a top 5 pg , who loves to pass the ball .

If you have the money , players will come to Boston

It's already known Josh Smith would sign here

Al Jefferson also mentioned how he would enjoy returning to Boston , given the opportunity .

No they aren't superstars , but big name players clearly would play here .

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Signing Josh Smith or Al Jefferson for example doesnt do anything for me. A lineup of Rondo/Bradley/Green/Smith/Jefferson might be one of the worst shooting lineups of all time and still wont be good enough to win a championship. They'd be a 4-5 seed.

It's a superstar driven league. Signing a bunch of above average players wont really get you anything execpt for killing your cap space/flexibility with long term obligations.