I like this idea but I think Indiana says no.
I know Hibbert has laid an egg this season headed into the playoffs, but fact remains he's still a young, legit 7 footer who can play a big role in leading a team to victory.
Don't think Larry deals him to another Eastern Conference team for Rondo.
I could however see Hibbert being involved in a deal for Indy to get a more consistent PF/C in return like Kevin Love, Demarcus Cousins or maybe even Asik.
He's less than a year younger than Rondo. Yet, many fans seem to consider Rondo an "old/past his prime point guard."
I've never heard anyone criticize Rondo for being "past his prime."
So you think Rondo can return to being a top fifteen player in the league next season?
Return?
To answer the thread title, I would say 2 members of this board would say no and I confidently say that without even knowing the details of the trade.
Yes, return. Would you dispute that Rondo was considered to be a top fifteen player in the NBA for the 2012 season?
By whose standards? Yours? Tim's?
By the folks who vote for the All NBA teams.
By the folks who vote for the all star game reserves.
By the folks who cast the MVP votes.
By the folks who vote for the all defensive teams.
By the folks who vote for the ESPN annual NBA player rankings.
Tim's and my standards aren't really relevant.
Honestly speaking, him receiving those accolades was a gift. It was a gift that he was put in the situation he was in. A gift that he played with KG, Pierce, and Allen. A gift that he played for a marquee team and the national exposure he received helped generate votes in his favor. I am fairly certain that many other PG's would've put up similar numbers as him if placed in such a favorable situation.
But you only mentioned 1 season. Why? Does that mean that in your opinion Rondo was a top 15 player for only one season in his career? Wouldn't that mean that season of accolades, namely being named 3rd team all-NBA, was merely an aberration?
For the season you mentioned his numbers were the following:
11.6 PPG
4.7 RPG
11.4 APG
44.8 FG%
59.7 FT%
23.8 3PT%
1.8 SPG
3.6 TOV
For comparison Dragic, an obviously much less sought after player, just posted the following stats:
20.3 PPG
3.2 RPG
5.9 APG
50.5 FG%
76.0 FT%
40.8 3PT%
1.4 SPG
2.8 TOV
Removing the flashiness and name recognition and simply comparing those numbers it would be hard to say Dragic's numbers don't better Rondo's "top 15" season.