Just doesn't add up that Rondo is coming back now

[LarBrd33]

Completely agree with OP

[Tr1boy]

Chris you make some interesting points. But this can't be all about Rondo's happyness.  Right now it looks like, Rondo is going to be back, he is going to be back, and lets see what happens.

There is no agenda (though you would think , its lets win). When you get a player back, especially someone like Rondo, you are not playing them to mainly warm them up. The goal is to warm them up to win. isn't that right? 

But if this is not the plan, then this thread wouldn't exist. I would understand the main goal is to warm up Rondo, then trade the other assets, and sit him down for the rest of the year. But it is very unclear instead. 

In addition Danny interested in Asik a month earlier,  makes things even foggier.

You are overthinking this.  Rondo is playing because he is healthy.  Danny makes deals that make sense. 

Danny was interested in Asik, because he saw an opportunity to trade for a good player who fit a need for the team in the long and short term, for a bargain price (two repetitive talents and a non-prime draft pick). 

You are too focussed on plans.  Danny isn't forming elaborate schemes, he is making moves based on what it in the best interest of the team.  He knows that he can't have a narrow view of a "plan", because that limits the chance of success.  But, if he makes every move with the thought of how it can help the team get better going forward, then he puts them in a good position.

All of the moves help the team for the future.  That includes Rondo coming back when he is healthy.

What about the 2014 picks? would you not assume he wants high picks?

This is a deep draft and a chance wasted to get a real good player.

Some teams like the 76rs are doing all possible to get a high pick. Pretty much there team looks 360 different than last years or indications by trade deadline it will.

If Danny wants Rondo healthy (to win) but wants high draft picks, they are not compatible plans. The focus is on Rondo and on high draft picks, but if he really wanted to, he can have both things. Unless like some have said Rondo is being showcased

[slamtheking]

rondo is healthy so why wouldn't he play?  Danny and Brad need to see how/if he's bounced back in terms of health and how much rust he has from sitting out a year. 

I doubt he's being showcased for a trade though with Danny I wouldn't rule it out.  I'd be very surprised if Rondo is traded.  I'd expect to see Hump, Bass and possibly Green gone before the deadline.

[NYDan]

Rondos return to the NBA has always been on Rondo, his health and when he feels he's ready. Forget ping pong balls, the team needs him and his on court leadership.

We've heard January since the start of the season, so we're right on schedule - there's no grand plan at work here, sorry conspiracy theorists. Danny is a smart enough GM to have more than just one path for rebuilding this team, and after all the support he and the organization have given Rondo up until this point to insinuate that he's being brought back pre-trade deadline for showcasing purposes or would stash him away healthy for a higher pick is a little insulting.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Why? Because it does not fit the "tanking" idea?

Rondo is back because he's ready to play. I don't think there's any other reason why.

[winsomme]

Chris you make some interesting points. But this can't be all about Rondo's happyness.  Right now it looks like, Rondo is going to be back, he is going to be back, and lets see what happens.

There is no agenda (though you would think , its lets win). When you get a player back, especially someone like Rondo, you are not playing them to mainly warm them up. The goal is to warm them up to win. isn't that right? 

But if this is not the plan, then this thread wouldn't exist. I would understand the main goal is to warm up Rondo, then trade the other assets, and sit him down for the rest of the year. But it is very unclear instead. 

In addition Danny interested in Asik a month earlier,  makes things even foggier.

You are overthinking this.  Rondo is playing because he is healthy.  Danny makes deals that make sense. 

Danny was interested in Asik, because he saw an opportunity to trade for a good player who fit a need for the team in the long and short term, for a bargain price (two repetitive talents and a non-prime draft pick). 

You are too focussed on plans.  Danny isn't forming elaborate schemes, he is making moves based on what it in the best interest of the team.  He knows that he can't have a narrow view of a "plan", because that limits the chance of success.  But, if he makes every move with the thought of how it can help the team get better going forward, then he puts them in a good position.

All of the moves help the team for the future.  That includes Rondo coming back when he is healthy.

But I also think you are under-thinking this. Danny certainly recognizes the value of a top 5 pick in this draft and also recognizes that Rondo coming back at this point makes the chances of getting that pick less likely.

The questions is what is he going to do about it...if anything?

[LooseCannon]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

[winsomme]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

Top 5 or Bust isn't really what is being considered here. One point being made is that Rondo coming back now in and of itself does little to help the rebuilding process but it may severely hinder it...

[Lucky17]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

Top 5 or Bust isn't really what is being considered here. One point being made is that Rondo coming back now in and of itself does little to help the rebuilding process but it may severely hinder it...

Except for the fact that actually seeing how the team performs around Rondo helps evaluate player personnel and identify strategies for rebuilding.

[kozlodoev]

The trading of Lee, Jcraw, Brooks signals the team is ready to free themselves from contract obligations and arm with picks to build the team. Same deal with trading Humphries, Bass, and perhaps Green. But you are going against the Current with bringing back Rondo, who makes your team better.
So what is exactly Danny trying to do? Only possibilities i can think of is

1) Bring back Rondo, become a better team, boost the play of Green, Humphries, Bass before the trade deadline, trade them and sit out Rondo for the rest of the year (due to *cough* aggravation)

2) Bring back Rondo, hope he plays like Rondo of the past and trade him to the highest bidder before the trade deadline.

3) Bring back Rondo, but his game is off, shut him down for the rest of the year and still go ahead with trading everyone else (for possible lesser value)

4) *wildcard scenerio*, and with the way Danny is preparing to rebuild, perhaps not the way he is planning to move fwd. Rondo comesback and the team is on fire. Sullinger, Olynyk, Bradleys game boosts up considerably also. Then in the trade deadline, he packages one or two of our promising young players, gives up 2 1st round pick for a Kevin Love, gives up a future 1st and another player for Asik.  Some hinting , we should also go after Anthony. The bottom line is, the Celts are armed with so many picks and we do a 2 promising young players in Sullinger and AB, that getting all of these three players (Love, Asik, Anthoney even) is not out of this world

5) Rondo is brought back, we play into being a mediocre team (even make 8th place), lose early, and get a post lottery pick.  Then go into next year with alot of questions, alot more losing etc.  (worse case scenerio)

_________________________________________________________
Imo, i just don't know why Danny at this point just shuts down Rondo for the rest of the year especially if he wants to build around him yet also pair him with a high draft pick this summer. Not sure if this would be a league violation or something. Don't think having him back will really boost the trade value of Hump,Green, Bass any further.

Worse case Ainge can't let situation #5 happen.

You got a little busy there in your scenario and missed on what's actually happening: bring back Rondo so that he can get his legs under him for the remainder of what's largely a meaningless season and be ready for next year.

[winsomme]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

Top 5 or Bust isn't really what is being considered here. One point being made is that Rondo coming back now in and of itself does little to help the rebuilding process but it may severely hinder it...

Except for the fact that actually seeing how the team performs around Rondo helps evaluate player personnel and identify strategies for rebuilding.

This is pretty vague. What kind of strategies are you talking about?

[Lucky17]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

Top 5 or Bust isn't really what is being considered here. One point being made is that Rondo coming back now in and of itself does little to help the rebuilding process but it may severely hinder it...

Except for the fact that actually seeing how the team performs around Rondo helps evaluate player personnel and identify strategies for rebuilding.

This is pretty vague. What kind of strategies are you talking about?

How does this year's version of Bradley perform with Rondo on offense? How is the team defense?

Is there chemistry between Rondo and Sullinger? Didn't get to see much of that last season.

Does Rondo's presence in the offense help create better shots for Jeff Green, making him a better player? Or is Green not a piece to keep?

Even the very basic question of what does a Brad Stevens offense look like with Rondo at the helm? What does Stevens need to do to get the most out of Rondo?

All of these questions relate to Ainge's plans for the roster going forward.

[winsomme]

Danny wants to rebuild. He is looking fwd to the draft. So Rondo coming back could potentially complicate his plan, especially if he plays well.

Maybe Ainge just isn't uptight about where the Celtics end up drafting and can roll with it no matter which slot the pick ends up being.

I don't think Danny is that good to take this risk

It's not about risk, it's about trying to micro-manage draft position being a silly pursuit that is probably not worth the effort.

Top five pick or bust is a moronic plan that is almost certainly not Ainge's intention because he is just not that stupid.

Top 5 or Bust isn't really what is being considered here. One point being made is that Rondo coming back now in and of itself does little to help the rebuilding process but it may severely hinder it...

Except for the fact that actually seeing how the team performs around Rondo helps evaluate player personnel and identify strategies for rebuilding.

This is pretty vague. What kind of strategies are you talking about?

How does this year's version of Bradley perform with Rondo on offense? How is the team defense?

Is there chemistry between Rondo and Sullinger? Didn't get to see much of that last season.

Does Rondo's presence in the offense help create better shots for Jeff Green, making him a better player? Or is Green not a piece to keep?

Even the very basic question of what does a Brad Stevens offense look like with Rondo at the helm? What does Stevens need to do to get the most out of Rondo?

OK, but we need more assets. I mean, do that next year or in practice. We don't have enough assets to prioritize team chemistry questions ahead asset acquisition..

[Lucky17]

So, you're willing to go into next year's free agency without a informed clue as to the viability of a Rondo-Bradley backcourt?

[pp34isthe1]

I think Danny wants to showcase Rondo to the rest  of the league to show he is healthy so that some GM offers up  alot for him. The roster is at 13 right now, 12 considering Bogans got sent home, so there is room to take back players.

But my feeling is that is just one card Danny is holding and probably only happening unless someone offers something crazy for Rondo.

Regardless, I think a big trade is happening before the deadline.