Are we Rondo + 1 player away from contending?

[clover]

If that one guy was Lebron, maybe. We'd still probably need a solid defensive big man, though, and maybe some more reliable shooters.

I suppose this is the same as a prime Pierce. He played Lebron to a draw in 08.

I agree with most that we need a C and a top guy, but wonder if that could be one guy.

I must admit that if I were Danny I'd be shaking the trees about every top big man out there.

I love Pierce, but a Pierce in his prime is not the same as LBJ.

[Fafnir]

If that one guy was Lebron, maybe. We'd still probably need a solid defensive big man, though, and maybe some more reliable shooters.

I think we'd need prime KG/Duncan type guy.

MVP caliber big man who's a defensive anchor. Then the current roster plus Rondo would have the bones of a title contender. A plus defensive big man to anchor around is a big ask in the league, so more than a player away even with LeBron in my book.

Sadly those guys aren't all that common, Anthony Davis is the only guy who looks to be the type and he's still a year or two away.

[CelticG1]

Yeah I'd say that would be "contending" based on teams like the clippers contending, or Knicks contending, at least last year.

Plus I assume if we got a top player put beside rondo we would end up shaking up the roster a bit to fit our needs more

[Evantime34]

I think we are Rondo, plus a high draft pick and one good player away from contending, I think something like the following would make us the 4th best team in the east next year with a chance of being even better while WIggins, Sully, Bradley and Olynyk develop.
Rondo/Crawford
Wiggins/Bradley
Green
Sully/Olynyk
Monroe/Vitor

[BballTim]

  We'd need Sully to develop and get a center and a wing but both players don't need to be superstars. Just getting back Rondo and getting a center who can protect the rim a little better and rebound decently would probably make us a solid playoff team, getting a really good wing that could give you a rotation of that player/Green/Bradley would push you to at least fringe contender status.

[LooseCannon]

Given a sufficiently good enough player, yes.

If you had a Rondo back at 100% and dropped a healthy Marc Gasol on this team, it could be a contender, although I'd also want to add a big wing who can shoot and provide credible defense at both SF and SG in a sixth man role.

[ssspence]

Every team is Rondo + 1 player away from contending, if one's just theoretically putting a top 5 player on that team without giving anything up.

Removing unrealistic scenarios, the question boils down to: are we one move away from contending? and the answer is certainly no.

[dreamgreen]

Adding a super-star to our team with Rondo back would right now IMO would make us the third best team in the East. Adding an all-star may do that right now too.

I was thinking the other day, being realistic. Who could we trade for that would be that guy right now?

Take Lebron, Durant and those type (Howard, Harden, etc.)that are on teams that are not trading them.

[BballTim]

Every team is Rondo + 1 player away from contending, if one's just theoretically putting a top 5 player on that team without giving anything up.

Removing unrealistic scenarios, the question boils down to: are we one move away from contending? and the answer is certainly no.

  Giving something up doesn't have to mean a core player, it could be Humphries/Bogans/multiple draft picks or something similar.

[Jailan34]

Adding a super-star to our team with Rondo back would right now IMO would make us the third best team in the East. Adding an all-star may do that right now too.

I was thinking the other day, being realistic. Who could we trade for that would be that guy right now?

Take Lebron, Durant and those type (Howard, Harden, etc.)that are on teams that are not trading them.

Unfortunately I think the best wing player who isn't going to stick with his current team is gordon hayward, and while I love his game I'm not going to break the bank for him.

Also Melo might leave if NY continues to have a poor season.

[LooseCannon]

Removing unrealistic scenarios, the question boils down to: are we one move away from contending? and the answer is certainly no.

I think there are realistic scenarios for some teams to go into blow-it-up mode and become willing to sell off a top player who they think is too old for a rebuild for a package such as Humphries, Olynyk, and two or more firsts.

[Mr Green]

Just looking at the bigger picture, at the moment only 3 teams in the east are over .500 (Indiana, Miami and Atlanta), while only 4 teams in the west are under .500.

The competition in the east is very poor compared to the west, and Miami should theoretically run on fumes sooner or later after playing 3 long seasons, each with playoffs and finals. Especially LBJ and Wade who also played in the Olympics.

If there's ever a time to try and make the finals with a half baked squad this is it. Whoever makes it from the 'cakewalk' east should also benefit from playing a beaten down team that emerges from a deep western conference dogfight.

But at this stage, my only care is that Rondo can return to full health without becoming Rose V2.0.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

We need one very good scorer/closer , and 1 big strong center who cand defend and rebound (someone legit).
If we can get these 2 players and sully fulfils his potential than yeah we are contenders.

Ditto.

[TwinTower14]

Yes - if the C's land Lebron or Durant ....that's the only way...

[Kane3387]

The 3 seed in the east is not contending. I guess it depends on who the other player is.