Rumor: Dallas Mavericks engaging in trade talks for Rajon Rondo

[jpurthe1]

Also to piggyback off my last post...

Something people in Boston aren't talking about is what if Rondo takes a look at the Celtics post-Doc/Garnett/Pierce and says "hell no, I'm all set."?

Entirely possible and puts the pressure on Danny to find an acceptable deal.

VERY BIG POSSIBILITY. This would hurt the CELTICS franchise. As a celtic fan, I am a green fan first and a Rondo fan 2nd. PRIORITIES people. SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE.

[fairweatherfan]

I don't see dumping contracts as nearly enough of a priority to move Rondo for them.  The only really awful deal we have is Wallace's, and it's basically irrelevant this year (when the plan seems to be to suck), and expiring in 3, so there's only 1 year where it's truly problematic for us. 

Everybody else are just guys who are modestly overpaid for what they contribute.  If we're not trying to be good this year, then cap space doesn't really matter til the 2014 offseason at the very earliest, when all those same deals will be easier to get rid of.

I agree but those modestly good players on modest contracts are enough to send this team from the 1-5 positions in the draft upto the 9-14 positions in the draft, severely curtailing the chances of getting a franchise guy next draft.

Perhaps Danny feels its more important to rid the team of good role players and their star to go full on tank than he is worried about dumping the salary.

Just a thought

Good point, but I feel like Rondo missing a couple months and playing listlessly when he gets back will bridge that gap pretty well.  Just doesn't seem like enough return for moving the best asset we have left.

On a related note, we're far from the only team maneuvering to stink this season.  Shaping up to be a major race to the bottom.  Some of the games are gonna look like that South Park episode where they keep trying to lose at Little League so they can stop playing, but the other team is more skilled at losing.  Should be a blast.

[danglertx]

What is more likely, Boston sends Rondo and his 11mil, Lee and his 5mil or Bass and his 7mil Bogans and unguaranteed contract or two , get the rights to Larkin and Ledo and two first rounders in say 15 and 17.

Dallas gets Rondo, signs JSmoove and has a shot at Howard WITH Dirk, Boston gets young, bad, and gets the 11mil exception because Larkin and Ledo's contracts go for whoever our second person in the deal is, Bass or Lee.

[jpurthe1]

I don't see dumping contracts as nearly enough of a priority to move Rondo for them.  The only really awful deal we have is Wallace's, and it's basically irrelevant this year (when the plan seems to be to suck), and expiring in 3, so there's only 1 year where it's truly problematic for us. 

Everybody else are just guys who are modestly overpaid for what they contribute.  If we're not trying to be good this year, then cap space doesn't really matter til the 2014 offseason at the very earliest, when all those same deals will be easier to get rid of.

I agree but those modestly good players on modest contracts are enough to send this team from the 1-5 positions in the draft upto the 9-14 positions in the draft, severely curtailing the chances of getting a franchise guy next draft.

Perhaps Danny feels its more important to rid the team of good role players and their star to go full on tank than he is worried about dumping the salary.

Just a thought

Good point, but I feel like Rondo missing a couple months and playing listlessly when he gets back will bridge that gap pretty well.  Just doesn't seem like enough return for moving the best asset we have left.

On a related note, we're not the only team looking to stink this season.  Shaping up to be a major race to the bottom.  Some of the games are gonna look like that South Park episode where they keep trying to lose at Little League so they can stop playing, but the other team is more skilled at losing.

HAHA, but true on the last paragraph!

[Lebowski]

Maybe Danny just really rates Humphries and wants Rondo gone so there's no bad blood after last season's 'fight'? 

I've got 'Tank Safari For Jabari', to the tune of 'Deck the halls', running round my head...

[vjcsmoke]

I'd rather keep Rondo till the 2014 draft.  Think about it ok, even if you land Wiggins, you still need a team around him.  And if you don't end up with the Wiggins pick.  Maybe Rondo plus pick #2 or #3 is enough to move up for him.

Danny telling the Mavs that he's only interested in Dirk is the 'polite' way to blow them off.  I think Danny knows Rondo is our best remaining asset and is waiting for him to be healthy before moving him, IF he needs to move him.

[j804]

Sources say talks are "ridiculous" and never happened coming from Boston media

[cman88]

I feel like trading rondo for pennies on a dollar would set the c's back 10years or more in rebuilding...

in order to rebuild, you need to start Somewhere...wit the last rebuild we had Pierce...and danny's plan was to add KG/RA to him and build a contendor.

Right now it just seems the hope is we bottom out and get a #1 pick, AND that pick turns out into the next Durant....and if you do get the next durant..he has no one around him.

but, I dont think Ainge will trade Rondo for less than value...hes injured and on a value contract

[Celtics4ever]

I'd rather keep Rondo till the 2014 draft

This TP.

More suitors and more ammo to move up.

[blink]

People need to remember Mark Cuban is a skilled businessman, just like DA.  Cuban knows RR's value is at the lowest right now.  Of course he would offer the C's the leftovers from his roster to nab RR.  RR would then help him get Josh Smith or even have a better chance to get Howard.

To me, this is exactly the kind of deal you DON'T do for Rondo.  Let him finish his rehab, play some games in the spring, drop some triple doubles and bam everyone remembers who RR is again, and the price goes up a lot.  By all reports RR's rehab is going well, no setbacks.

I know it is fun to talk about the trade possibilities, but I hope that DA has the sense to be patient.  The sharks / wolves are circling the C's right now looking for a good deal.  We did the right thing with KG / PP by getting some assets for them.  The same approach probably isn't the best way to move ahead with Rondo.

[BballTim]

Some interesting Tweets from Stein...

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine about 15 minutes ago
Mavs: We're interested in Rondo. Celts: We want Dirk. So: More teams gotta jump in or Boston gotta budge for meaningful talks to take place

Why would Danny want Dirk?

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine about 11 minutes ago
Even after ACL tear, Boston asking a lot for Rondo. Yet as we discussed Friday AM on @MikeAndMike, teams out there DO think Rondo next to go

Glad to see Danny is asking "a lot".

  Someone here should call up the Mavs and explain to them that they have it on good authority (as in vehement assurances from some celticsblog posters) that Rondo has next to no value around the league so they can probably just offer a heavily protected 2045 2nd rounder to snag him.

[jpurthe1]

People need to remember Mark Cuban is a skilled businessman, just like DA.  Cuban knows RR's value is at the lowest right now.  Of course he would offer the C's the leftovers from his roster to nab RR.  RR would then help him get Josh Smith or even have a better chance to get Howard.

To me, this is exactly the kind of deal you DON'T do for Rondo.  Let him finish his rehab, play some games in the spring, drop some triple doubles and bam everyone remembers who RR is again, and the price goes up a lot.  By all reports RR's rehab is going well, no setbacks.

I know it is fun to talk about the trade possibilities, but I hope that DA has the sense to be patient.  The sharks / wolves are circling the C's right now looking for a good deal.  We did the right thing with KG / PP by getting some assets for them.  The same approach probably isn't the best way to move ahead with Rondo.

I agree with this post.

[blink]

I also think there will be serious consideration for keeping Rondo.  Maybe he isn't the #1 option on a title winner, but he can be a great #2 or #3. 

We have to keep some veterans or decent players to balance the roster a bit, even in a rebuild.  Right now flawed as he is, RR is the best veteran presence we have on the team as well.  Someone needs to steer the rookies / younger players in the right direction.  Hopefully our new head coach can do that, but they need at least a few veterans as well.

[jpurthe1]

I also think there will be serious consideration for keeping Rondo.  Maybe he isn't the #1 option on a title winner, but he can be a great #2 or #3. 

We have to keep some veterans or decent players to balance the roster a bit, even in a rebuild.  Right now flawed as he is, RR is the best veteran presence we have on the team as well.  Someone needs to steer the rookies / younger players in the right direction.  Hopefully our new head coach can do that, but they need at least a few veterans as well.

I do not disagree with your thought here but Rondo will not be in on it. He will not waste his prime years on a rebuild, no way no how. I think PP and KG comeback in some form to help the C's organization in a few years.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

If we dont get an all star in return for Rondo I would cry, cry even harder and be done with Danny Ainge.

He's gambling TOO MUCH for this 2014 draft when he already has enough chips. Trading away the best player who could possibly be the biggest suppirting player for this superstar he's trying to get is absolutely disgusting.

If Danny will rely on good old luck to find another piece when we already have one, who he wants to trade for assets, I'm so done. We can rebuild without giving away our best talent for more "assets".

Trade Rondo for the same or a little less caliber talent, then its a different story.

I agree with this, which is why I wouldn't want to deal Rondo. For example, if Dallas landing Rondo entices Dwight to go there, then why should we just give that satisfaction to Dallas?

Why not keep Rondo, and try to lure Dwight to come to Boston (or insert whichever big name free agent.)

The stupid part of this, Danny cant even wait for the season to see if the assets he have xan develop into enticing young prospects along with the picks he got.

He's really a coward. He realky thinks the only solution is blow it up, get as many assrts as possible and hope those assets turn into something.

Jesus Christ we have a ton of picks already, young guys who are slowly but surely making anname for themselves and a few more who can develop into good trade chips. The last thing he wants to do us tradr a borderline superstar talent that he already have, instead make sure that that talent would be a part of a future that will contend.

But no, apparently I think doung his work as a GM, making sure assets develop is too hard and he would rather give away a star for a chance of another WHO IS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY HELP WE HE GETS HERE. Let alone IF he gets here.

Lets not go killing Ainge for what was probably Dallas calling Boston with a horrible offer just to see if they would play ball.

The conclusions jumped to around here, and the lack of long term thinking is wild.