Idea: Rondo, Wallace, Bass & Lee for Bierdrins, Jefferson & Mo Williams

[guava_wrench]

Horrible move. Dallas has had cap space annually. What did that get them? And they had Dirk to lure players.

Dumping everything for cap space gets you Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon. Horrible idea.

Rondo has value. You don't trade him unless you can get value. You don't give up Rondo just to lose contracts. His value is to high. You can get decent picks or very good prospects for him. The cap space you free up probably won't even fetch us someone as good as Rondo. Seriously, what kind of player will want to come to this team?

Answer: someone like Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudamire, or Rashard Lewis. Guys willing to go to bad teams in order to get overvalued contracts. Keep Rondo and a serious free agent would be more interested in coming here, even for $1m a year less, for the chance to compete.

[guava_wrench]

Another example of how useless cap space typically is for a bad team: New Jersey.

[e4sym0de]

I think Bass contract isn´t that bad that it can´t be moved and even if you dont find a taker right now, it will be an expiring next year

we gave up some assets for Lee and he didn´t played well last year. If their is a possible trade, of course you do it but if not, I would be fine to give him another chance this season, don´t see the reason to rush for a dump.

Wallace is an Albatross ofcourse but giving up Rondo just to get rid if him is no way near worth it in my opinion.

The most important point in my opinion is, what do you think you can get out of the capspace you will have? Just take a look at Dallas. No Star you can really build around will sign with the Celtics next Offseason if you trade rondo for nothing. So you will be forced to spend your money on the Monta Ellises of the world. Just look what Philly got for Holiday...that would be by far more appealing to me than your suggestion.

I can understand the point of the trade idea though but i think we have to face the fact, that we will not be near contending this year or next year, unless a real miracle happens.

[Ersatz]

If Ainge is using the 2007/KG model as what he wants to attempt right now, it makes no sense to trade Rondo. In that scenario, Rondo becomes Pierce: the good player who can draw the interest of others. Trade Rondo for expirings and there is no incentive for others to sign here or be traded here. Then you have to rely on free agents or draft picks, which takes a lot longer and relies on chance to a much greater extent. I don't think Ainge is up for that kind of a project.

So then the question becomes, who do swap Rondo for that can be the Pierce/cornerstone? I honestly can't see anybody out there who is available and fits the bill. I think the top 20 guys are all pretty ensconced in their situations. Maybe Aldridge or Love, but as much as I like them as players, I don't see them as players you build around. Seems to me that building pieces are usually perimiter/ballhandler types; the bigs (unless your name is Tim Duncan) join them to create awesomeness.

Unless Westbrook becomes available, I say we hold  on to Rondo.

[ssspence]

Another example of how useless cap space typically is for a bad team: New Jersey.

So let me get this straight... You're actually attempting to argue that cap space is useless? Pardon me if I point out that this POV is literally ridiculous.

How do you think the team that hoisted the trophy the last two years did so? And can you point out to me the players that will be available next summer to teams who have some?

[gpap]

Why I like the idea: If we do this, Utah basically does us a HUGE favor, salary cap wise.

Why I don't like the idea: If we do this, we are likely going to be bad next year.

Would I do it?: YES. It pains me to see us suck next year, but for me, the idea of having a top 2014 draft pick and massive cap space for the 2014 summer is too good to pass up.

Below is a list of the top 2014 free agents and I am willing to take my chances. By the way, I am not convinced that no one will come here because Rondo won't be here. Rondo is here now, and players aren't exactly knocking down the front door on Causeway Street.

My only questions to the OP:
1.)Isn't Mo Williams a free agent?
2.)Because Biedrins and RJeff were just dealt from Golden State and because GWallace was just dealt from Brooklyn, Celts would have to wait til September to make this deal, right?

2014 FA's
-Luol Deng
-Dirk Nowitzki
-Paul George (RFA)
-Kobe Bryant
-Pau Gasol
-Zach Randolph (player option)
-Lebron James (ETO)
-Chris Bosh (ETO)
-Carmelo Anthony (ETO)
-Marcin Gortat
-Demarcus Cousins (RFA)
-Tim Duncan (player option)
-John Wall (RFA)
-Rudy Gay (player option)
-Kwame Brown (lol, just kidding)

[jambr380]

If Ainge is using the 2007/KG model as what he wants to attempt right now, it makes no sense to trade Rondo. In that scenario, Rondo becomes Pierce: the good player who can draw the interest of others. Trade Rondo for expirings and there is no incentive for others to sign here or be traded here. Then you have to rely on free agents or draft picks, which takes a lot longer and relies on chance to a much greater extent. I don't think Ainge is up for that kind of a project.

So then the question becomes, who do swap Rondo for that can be the Pierce/cornerstone? I honestly can't see anybody out there who is available and fits the bill. I think the top 20 guys are all pretty ensconced in their situations. Maybe Aldridge or Love, but as much as I like them as players, I don't see them as players you build around. Seems to me that building pieces are usually perimiter/ballhandler types; the bigs (unless your name is Tim Duncan) join them to create awesomeness.

Unless Westbrook becomes available, I say we hold  on to Rondo.

I agree, Rondo is a guy that other stars would have an interest in playing with. He's unselfish, a leader, and comes up big when it matters most. Trading him to lose one questionable contract (Bass and Lee are easily separately tradeable) doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Heck, Wallace's contract is nothing compared to Raef Lafrentz' 5-year monster.

The best plan I've seen, so far, is to make a trade for Amar'e. You subtract a year off of the total contract length and Amar'e probably won't give you much, ensuring you get a higher pick. It should work for the Knicks, as well - stabilizing their forward position and adding in another player like Lee to solidify their backcourt. They aren't getting under the cap anytime soon.

Basically, what I am saying [and most others here, as well] is don't diminish Rondo's value in a trade by using bad contracts along with him - bad idea...but I do get your point. 

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Another example of how useless cap space typically is for a bad team: New Jersey.

So let me get this straight... You're actually attempting to argue that cap space is useless? Pardon me if I point out that this POV is literally ridiculous.

How do you think the team that hoisted the trophy the last two years did so? And can you point out to me the players that will be available next summer to teams who have some?

So WHEN do you think cap space will be used in a fluke case like the Mia situation again? When do you see 3 players in their prime taking a heck of a lot less money than they are worth? 2 players who are top 5 players in the league with 1 being the best player in the league, then a player who is a top player at his position. Then you factor in LOCATION. I mean there are other factors that brought them together, cap space made it possible but that is not why they chose to go there.

What exactly do you think cap space is going to do for The Celtics? What FA is going to come and take that cap space?

I'm sorry, Mia is a terrible example and I only scratched the surface as to why.

[LooseCannon]

Cap space can also be used to make trades.  When the Nets traded for Joe Johnson, they didn't have to match salaries because they used their own cap space to facilitate a deal.

Next summer, if there is a max contract guy somewhere who wants out, the Celtics should be able to take on the player with a combination of unguaranteed contracts, expiring contracts, and cap space without forcing the other team to take on a bad contract.

[EDWARDO]

Another example of how useless cap space typically is for a bad team: New Jersey.

So let me get this straight... You're actually attempting to argue that cap space is useless? Pardon me if I point out that this POV is literally ridiculous.

How do you think the team that hoisted the trophy the last two years did so? And can you point out to me the players that will be available next summer to teams who have some?

This makes sense if you are LA or Miami. But NBA players aren't falling all over themselves trying to freeze their tails off up in Boston. So the value of cap space is a bit lost on us.

Rondo is about 15-25th players in the league, but he turns into a top 5-10 guy in the playoffs EVERY TIME. So its a bit hard to judge.

Bottom line: Is he top 1-2 player on a title team? Answer: YES...

If YES, then you can NOT trade him for anything other than either a very very high pick in 2014, or for another guy who is or could fall into that "top 1-2 players on a title team" conversation...

its a terrible trade... would be a thought for a team like the Lakers, where they could take the cap space and bring in good players... trade is awful for the Celtics...

[goCeltics]

yuck,

what do ppl imagine c's will be able to do with all this cap room,

beantown ain't la or miami, i'm sorry fa ain't lining up to come here

[LooseCannon]

yuck,

what do ppl imagine c's will be able to do with all this cap room,

beantown ain't la or miami, i'm sorry fa ain't lining up to come here

James Harden wanted a max contract and he was traded to a team that was willing to give him one.  If another player like Harden becomes available, the Celtics are as well-positioned as any team to make a deal.

[goCeltics]

yuck,

what do ppl imagine c's will be able to do with all this cap room,

beantown ain't la or miami, i'm sorry fa ain't lining up to come here

James Harden wanted a max contract and he was traded to a team that was willing to give him one.  If another player like Harden becomes available, the Celtics are as well-positioned as any team to make a deal.

uhmm, how is having humphries, wallace, lee or bass on the roster going stop a harden type trade? if anything stars like to play with other stars keeping rondo here makes it more likely

[LooseCannon]

yuck,

what do ppl imagine c's will be able to do with all this cap room,

beantown ain't la or miami, i'm sorry fa ain't lining up to come here

James Harden wanted a max contract and he was traded to a team that was willing to give him one.  If another player like Harden becomes available, the Celtics are as well-positioned as any team to make a deal.

uhmm, how is having humphries, wallace, lee or bass on the roster going stop a harden type trade? if anything stars like to play with other stars keeping rondo here makes it more likely

Harden wanted the max and wasn't going to take less money to play with other stars.

[Vox_Populi]

Another example of how useless cap space typically is for a bad team: New Jersey.

So let me get this straight... You're actually attempting to argue that cap space is useless? Pardon me if I point out that this POV is literally ridiculous.

How do you think the team that hoisted the trophy the last two years did so? And can you point out to me the players that will be available next summer to teams who have some?

What you seem to overlook is that cap space is useless without an incentive for players to move to your team. Boston has never been a FA hot spot. You either have a guy players will want to play with or your club is in an attractive destination. The Heat had both (Wade and Miami), the C's maybe have one (Rondo).

In other words, I don't like the deal.