Best use of cap space: Extend Rondo?

[saltlover]

As a premise, I am strongly of the opinion that I feel Marcus Smart fits very solidly in a backcourt rotation with Rondo and Avery Bradley.  There are probably 20 threads that have been created in the last week where this is debated -- I'd like this not to be one of them.

If July 12th comes and goes with the Celtics having let the Pierce TPE expire, and Bogans hasn't been used to acquire anything from teams clearing salary making runs at superstars, it is likely that the window will have closed on making a significant improvement to this year's team.  Assuming Bradley is still a restricted free agent, he will have a cap hold of $6,278,500.  If the C's renounce Humphries and Bayless (or they've already signed elsewhere), release Bogans, Johnson, and Babb, and renounce the Lee trade exception ($2M), the MLE, and the BAE, there would be about $3.5 million in cap room, assuming that they haven't yet signed Smart and Young to rookie deals for more than their slotted values.

With this $3.5 million, they would have the ability to offer Rondo a larger extension than they currently do, as they could raise his salary for next year, and base his future salaries off the newly raised 2014-2015 salary.  Currently, if they offer Rondo the largest extension they can, it would be for three additional years and $44.5 million total.  However, suppose they raise his salary to $16 million for 2014 (a $3.1 million raise) and give him $16 million per year after that.  This would be essentially an extension for $51 million over three years, once you factor in the extra $3 million given to him in 2014, or $17 million per year.

If Rondo would agree to such an extension, would it be worth punting on some of the other offseason moves that we as Celtics fans were hoping for?  Some have already set sail (Asik and Afflalo).  It wouldn't rule out the possibility of Love, if he were still on the market, but it would rule out most other options.  If on July 13th, the Celtics announced such an extension, would you be okay if that's the biggest thing that happens in the offseason?  It would mean that the rebuild is a little slower, but it would also mean that our best player is on board with the process.

[joepatsfan]

Nah, sign AB for 4/24 or match anything less than 6.5 AAV then trade him for assets.

Rondo can play the 1, Smart the  1 or 2, Young the 2 or 3

Rondo isn't getting the max. Not even gonna touch it, at least if he's staying here.

[crimson_stallion]

Not giving Rondo $20m or anything closer to it.  Even at the peak of his career that would have been lunacy.
Id consist $14-$16 million per year,  no more.   

$20m a year is top 5 superstar money - Chris Paul is probably the only PG in the league with that money.

[D.o.s.]

If he takes it, sure.

Although I'd be hesitant in principle to give that much money to an idiot, which is what he would be if he signed the extension, or to overpay (if he couldn't get a better deal)

[Evantime34]

If Rondo is going to get that much money, then he will have done it by having an elite season next year. I really hope he plays like a $100 MM player this year, because even if we won't pay it, him producing like that would make his trade value higher.

I'm not sure Rondo would have told Maxwell this information unless he had a good reason (lowering his trade value due to high contract demands is a good way to make sure no one trades for him).

[RJ87]

I don't see Rondo signing an extension. It's just too limiting. Financially, I think the money is okay on an extension but I've always seen Rondo as a guy more concerned with security so I think being able to get a 4 or 5 year deal will be the most appealing to him.

[RJ87]

I'm not sure Rondo would have told Maxwell this information unless he had a good reason (lowering his trade value due to high contract demands is a good way to make sure no one trades for him).

Which is why that rumor is so faulty. Rondo's not an idiot, I think he knows he has to show he's healthy and back to form this season. I fully expect him to come in with a chip on shoulder (a bigger chip than usual, that is) and aiming to re-establish himself as a elite. I think he's one of those players that understands the business side of basketball as much as he understands on-court play. It's why everything he's said regarding his free agency has been very strategic; everything is along the lines of "I would like to stay in Boston, but we'll let the process play out." He's reinforcing faith in the the franchise and his desire to stay, but he fully intends to let his free agency play out. He and his agent aren't tipping his hand this early.

[ssspence]

Rondo is as good as gone.

[LooseCannon]

I'm going to wait and take a look at what Lebron, Wade, and Bosh agree to sign for and suggest to Rondo that he might not want to ask for more than any of them, if they sign for less than the max.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

depends on the money.  I will trust DA!

[BballTim]

Rondo is as good as gone.

  He has been since 2009 or so.

[Greenback]

Create more cap space by not signing Rondo at all.

Celtics offer Avery Bradley $3.58M.

Orlando waives Jermeer Nelson because he is not worth $6M this year.

It is time to wake up and smell the coffee...and realize "SMART money" says Rondo is on borrowed time with the Celtics.

[bballdog384]

Rondo is as good as gone.

  He has been since 2009 or so.

And will be as good as gone every year until he retires

[pokeKingCurtis]

Rondo is as good as gone.

  He has been since 2009 or so.

And will be as good as gone every year until he retires

Been saying all along.

Either he will retire a Celtic or he'll be traded.

Multiple sources.

[celticmania]

No we can actually get a decent player for max money