Chad Ford on Rondo

[Eddie20]

Very interesting.

The Celtics? Rajon Rondo could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the Celtics' cornerstone moving forward look slim.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape

[fairweatherfan]

This kind of sentiment has been an "increasing belief among NBA circles" since the KG to Clippers talk started.  I don't think this really means much.

...that said, wouldn't surprise me a bit if the speculation is right and Rondo is traded.

[Jeff]

Ford has been beating that drum for a while.  I'll believe it when I see it though.

[D.o.s.]

I don't know why you'd pay for that "insight" when you could get it for free right here on CB.

[manl_lui]

Very interesting.

The Celtics? Rajon Rondo could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the Celtics' cornerstone moving forward look slim.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape

I'll believe when I see it. And his "chemistry issues" is only with Ray Allen. I don't see complaints from KG and PP, and they both acknowledge Rondo has a capable leader!

[LarBrd33]

Very interesting.

The Celtics? Rajon Rondo could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the Celtics' cornerstone moving forward look slim.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape

I'll believe when I see it. And his "chemistry issues" is only with Ray Allen. I don't see complaints from KG and PP, and they both acknowledge Rondo has a capable leader!

I say it's 50/50 he's traded.  If he comes back Friday, we'll have 16 games to showcase him... if he looks super healthy and good, I expect Ainge will get offers and I expect Ainge will consider the offers.  If he looks terrible, we probably shut him down until next year and start the cycle over in Rondo's contract year.

No guarantee he's traded... but it's a distinct possibility.

As for the "chemistry" issues stuff... we've been hearing it for a while.  Smoke/Fire.  I suspect most of the locker-room stuff is kept in house.  It usually only trickles out after a player leaves.  We didn't hear about the Ray/Rondo beef until after Ray had packed his bags...

Which, btw... is the proper way to handle things.  There's no sense airing dirty laundry publicly.  That's the nonsense of lesser-run organizations like the La La Land Lakers.  If the players on this team hate each other, you're unlikely to hear about it unless Gerald Wallace runs his fat mouth.  Everything else is probably dealt with behind closed doors.

IF you've been following the team long enough you'll usually notice a pattern during the Ainge tenure.  There was some stuff that came up about Ricky Davis after he was shipped out.  Some stuff that came up about Toine after he was shipped out.  They are smart to keep that stuff private.

[obnoxiousmime]

It's more or less what Ford has been saying all along. It's always either "NBA executives" or "NBA circles" that are convinced Ainge will shop Rondo eventually.

What's more interesting is Ford's frank assessment of the talent level on the team besides Rondo, which you didn't include:

All three of the teams ahead of them (Ford is referring to the three teams ahead of Boston in his "tank rank," Milwaukee, Orlando, and Philly) have at least one young player they can conceivably build around...Unless you think Avery Bradley or Jared Sullinger is a savior, the cupboard is pretty bare. The draft is their best chance at landing a future All-Star and Ainge knows it.

There you have it. Ainge KNOWS IT, according to Chad Ford!

[BleedGreen1989]

Ford has been beating that drum for a while.  I'll believe it when I see it though.

Yeah, Ford has been a "trade Rondo" guy for quite awhile.

[BballTim]

Ford has been beating that drum for a while.  I'll believe it when I see it though.

  A while as in a number of years.

[BballTim]

Very interesting.

The Celtics? Rajon Rondo could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the Celtics' cornerstone moving forward look slim.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape

I'll believe when I see it. And his "chemistry issues" is only with Ray Allen. I don't see complaints from KG and PP, and they both acknowledge Rondo has a capable leader!

I say it's 50/50 he's traded.  If he comes back Friday, we'll have 16 games to showcase him... if he looks super healthy and good, I expect Ainge will get offers and I expect Ainge will consider the offers.  If he looks terrible, we probably shut him down until next year and start the cycle over in Rondo's contract year.

No guarantee he's traded... but it's a distinct possibility.

As for the "chemistry" issues stuff... we've been hearing it for a while.  Smoke/Fire.  I suspect most of the locker-room stuff is kept in house.  It usually only trickles out after a player leaves.  We didn't hear about the Ray/Rondo beef until after Ray had packed his bags...

  Rondo gets upset at times but there really hasn't been any talk of chemistry issues (other than Ray) for I would guess a number of years. Everything you hear about him from anyone associated with the team is generally positive, and they weren't shy about calling him out in the past. Also, take a look at what Doc and the players said about Ray after he left. I'll bet you can't find anything remotely resembling that about Rondo from those same guys (who aren't with the team anymore).

[Eddie20]

Very interesting.

The Celtics? Rajon Rondo could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the Celtics' cornerstone moving forward look slim.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape

I'll believe when I see it. And his "chemistry issues" is only with Ray Allen. I don't see complaints from KG and PP, and they both acknowledge Rondo has a capable leader!

I say it's 50/50 he's traded.  If he comes back Friday, we'll have 16 games to showcase him... if he looks super healthy and good, I expect Ainge will get offers and I expect Ainge will consider the offers.  If he looks terrible, we probably shut him down until next year and start the cycle over in Rondo's contract year.

No guarantee he's traded... but it's a distinct possibility.

As for the "chemistry" issues stuff... we've been hearing it for a while.  Smoke/Fire.  I suspect most of the locker-room stuff is kept in house.  It usually only trickles out after a player leaves.  We didn't hear about the Ray/Rondo beef until after Ray had packed his bags...

  Rondo gets upset at times but there really hasn't been any talk of chemistry issues (other than Ray) for I would guess a number of years. Everything you hear about him from anyone associated with the team is generally positive, and they weren't shy about calling him out in the past. Also, take a look at what Doc and the players said about Ray after he left. I'll bet you can't find anything remotely resembling that about Rondo from those same guys (who aren't with the team anymore).

There was also the water bottle incident where he threw a water bottle at Doc and stormed out of the team meeting.

[Nerf DPOY]

I don't know why you'd pay for that "insight" when you could get it for free right here on CB.

Exactly what I thought. The speculation of "NBA circles" may be their outsider perspective on our situation, and not based off of anything Ainge has actually proposed to them or another team. It's obvious that there's a good chance the most talented player on the Celtics next year will be 19/20 years old, and that the next most valuable asset is Rondo.

[esel1000]

Maybe it's just me but I don't see the point of trading Rondo at all... yeah DA is gonna get offers but not only will they most likely be low ball offers since hes coming off an injury but  we're also talking about an all star pg here... we're trying to rebuild and having a guy like Rondo as a leader and very talented player is helpful from a win perspective and FA perspective, and it's something most teams don't have. Trading Rondo to bottom out for assets is like being the Bobcats. We have enough draft picks, a trade exception, and some nice expiring contracts. Smart move is to keep Rondo and keep making little trades to get under the cap like DA did with Lee, still conceivably get a good pick, and use the assets and picks to gain more pieces with Rondo to contend... not build around him, but build with him.

Now next year if we aren't contending and Rondo decides he wants to bolt, then you trade him. I think he's worth a contract extension though, he's put everything into this team

[celty86]

Who are the young players to conceivably build around for Orlando, Milwaukee and Philly?? Are any of them really that much better than Sullinger and Bradley? I think Ford may be off just a little in saying the cupboard is bare. I will say though, that this upcoming draft pick will be very important.

[Jailan34]

I saw this wasn't sure to post it or not because, what does it really tell us?

First of all, I am a huge Rondo supporter, but I am realistic. I actually don't want him traded unless its a great package that we can't say no to.

Ford's assumption or belief that rondo causes chemistry problems seems like something from many seasons ago and his reported troubles with ray, not at all relevant to this team.

If Ainge gets a can't miss offer, meaning multiple picks and at least one top 7 pick this season combined with a young promising, not stud but promising player, he'd have to take it.

Otherwise I'd love to see Rondo take it easy all season, sit out a few games here and there and then provide some leadership to our team next season.