Quote from: tarheelsxxiii on June 28, 2013, 12:46:41 AM

Figured Ainge would wait till he returned to form but, given recent events, it wouldn't be surprising to hear Rondo demand a trade.

Think he is all but gone? Sooner than later? If so, where?

Rondo has little to no leverage to demand a trade.

Agreed. He will want out, however, and the question to me is will he be able to successfully pout his way out of town.

Some have been talking about the lack of team identity after blowing everything up.

I think keeping Rondo would prevent that to an extent.

A lot hinges on whether J-Smoove arrives in Beantown, which itself would hinge on a million other events and the demands and opinions of probably at least 5 other GMs.

I don't think Ainge himself is even remotely close to certain whether Rondo will be traded.

I would argue that with or without Rondo, the team as presently constituted has zero identity. It is another generic NBA team that will will 25-35 games. Of course, there are probably many more moves to come, which could help create an identity. But for now, the blood, guts and heart of the team are gone, mostly replaced with dreck from New Jersey.

I imagine Rondo will sit out part of the year recovering from the ACL injury.  Maybe he sits out all year like Rose.  Maybe it's career ending... who knows.

But if he eventually does come back, we'll probably show case him (to make sure he's back) and then shop him aggressively.  Actually, pretty sure we'll be shopping him aggressively all offseason.  This team isnt' going to be good again for 3-5 years... Rondo will be in his early 30s by the time that happens.  Would be better to have young pups and draft picks that align with our prospective future.

Rondo is stubborn (and bright) enough to turn his game into a one-man show or completely check out if he isn't happy. And despite his surgery, there will be plenty of suitors around the league.

If he wants out, I think he will find a way to get it. And it doesn't seem to benefit him or the team to keep him around long-term. We will suck into years beyond his prime...

I imagine Rondo will sit out part of the year recovering from the ACL injury.  Maybe he sits out all year like Rose.  Maybe it's career ending... who knows.

But if he eventually does come back, we'll probably show case him (to make sure he's back) and then shop him aggressively.  Actually, pretty sure we'll be shopping him aggressively all offseason.  This team isnt' going to be good again for 3-5 years... Rondo will be in his early 30s by the time that happens.  Would be better to have young pups and draft picks that align with our prospective future.

Obviously there are a lot of question marks surrounding Rondo's knee issue, but if he comes back and plays like all star Rondo, why would you trade him? 

You need veterans to compete for titles.  A team consisting entirely of guys under 25 isn't likely to be a contender no matter how highly touted those blue chip prospects are.

There's no guarantee trading Rondo will lead to a guy like Wiggins, it significantly helps but still far from a lock.  I would hate to trade a top 5 PG entering his prime for just a chance.  I rather just take our lumps this year and hope we can acquire enough pieces this and next off season to compete in 2014.

We need to build around Rondo and Green.  After this year we'll have a good knowledge of where we stand with Bradley and Sully (starters? role players? better off trading? etc.) 

Well, SAC just drafted a new SG. And DA loves Evans. Sac doesn't seem to. Wouldn't be surprised if DA can't land Smith that this could happen...

Where does it come from that Danny loves Tyreke Evans?  I keep reading this around here, but have no recollection of ever reading or hearing any quotes from Ainge to that effect.