This is a completely unrealistic scenario.
Of course it is unrealistic. Rondo doesn't have a no-trade clause.
The point of my question is to see how strongly fans feel about committing to tanking.
I just think it's a flippant question because I don't know of anybody here who is so dedicated to this "tank at all costs" plan that they'd actually amnesty Rondo if they had no other choice but to play him.
The first reply in this thread?
Well you are either going to tank for a top 5 pick or you aren't (meaning you'll play your young guys hard but the veterans on the team will be too good to prevent wins from happening- like Rondo).
I mean if you have a set in stone plan to tank then why would you play Rondo if he won't accept a trade?
It's hypothetical and a very weird question.
To be honest I've never considered that before because it's impossible.
The major consideration for tanking is that we can also get something pretty good for our number one asset (Rondo) whilst ensuring we lose games and thus get more rebuilding assets with a potentially much higher (championship) value than Rondo.
In the real world, if Rondo wouldn't waive his no trade clause then you'd probably go hard after some serious free agents and do what you could to put a playoff team on the floor.
If you'd decided there's no free agents even on a Millsap/Josh Smith level then you'd move all our picks and young guys now for someone who's under contract like Rudy Gay and another star. We wouldn't be a true contender but perhaps if Lebron was injured or Rose was injured we'd have a shot at making a deep run like the 2012 playoffs.
Or you could say that the 2014 and 2015 drafts are too good to pass up and that if Rondo won't accept a trade to an at least reasonable team (better situation than ours) then just sit him and lose games.
So to clarify, I'm a pro tanker. But I do want a very good return on Rondo because he's a 2nd option on a championship team- a top 15-20 player in the NBA. Coming off injury but still top 20 in my eyes- and that deserves some very good assets from those who have them and want Rondo.
In the non-reality of Rondo having a no trade clause, Danny Ainge would have worked out if Rondo was willing to be traded or not would adjust his strategy accordingly.
They'd never get into this predicament in 99% of circumstances even if he had a no trade clause.