Gerry Callahan, never shy, has declared that it is time to trade Rajon Rondo. To his credit, he does list the reasons to hang onto him (he's young, healthy, and reasonably priced for a top 10 point guard) but gives the following pitch to pitch the point guard.
Tempered enthusiasm - BostonHerald.com
Trade him? Seems wiser to trade everyone else and build anew around him. But then you wonder: How long will that take? Three years, maybe more? Rondo has three years (and $36 million) left on his contract after this season, and even when things are going OK, he appears impatient, annoyed, petulant. You think that guy will provide veteran leadership and a steady hand in the post-Kevin Garnett era? Or is the Rondo we saw Sunday night the player we will see on a nightly basis after Garnett and Ray Allen have left the building?
Predictably he offers up no possible trade scenarios. Just advocates trading him away. Personally I would like to see what the return is before I sign up for this plan. I was ok with offering him up for Chris Paul. There are probably other deals out there that could make sense, but not many in my opinion.
For Ainge's part, he's not going to admit to anything and if anything he has to make sure that the vultures aren't circling.
No push for panic button - BostonHerald.com
"My feelings haven’t changed yet," Ainge said yesterday. "You don’t panic when things aren’t going well and when your lineup isn’t 100 percent."
Nobody wants to head into trading season when the whole league knows you are desperate for help but that's kind of where we're at. Even if Danny was thinking of trading Rondo or outright blowing it up, it wouldn't serve him well to admit to that fact before he started negotiating with teams. So no surprises here.
0 recs | 99 comments
Rondo will be gone
before the next season starts (at the latest).
I think that there are two possible directions he be traded: to the Thunder (for Westbrook) and to the Nets (for Deron).
Sebal - February 21, 2012
Do you honestly think OKC will trade Westbrook?
…and just after he re-signed a megabuck extension at that.
japsuki - February 21, 2012
OKC will probably have the alpha dog problem
The same problem actually killed them in the last playoffs. In my opinion sooner or later OKC will have to choose their No1 option as Westbrook and Durant are not the best fit for each other. On the other hand, Rondo would be an ideal partner for KD to help him create his shots.
Sebal - February 21, 2012
I'd have to disagree on you on that...
Case in point… the game the other day where KD & Westbrook combined for what… 91 pts?! And I forgot who.. but another OKC guy who had a triple double that same night? Last year was a learning experience for them. They’re young. But as for not being the best fit for each other… I say they are perfect! All of ’em. Perk was their missing piece!
japsuki - February 21, 2012
*disagree WITH you I mean...
japsuki - February 21, 2012
Ibaka
JuJuan some moore - February 21, 2012 via mobile
OKC has already chosen their no. 1 option, Kevin Durant
Westbrook may or may not have trouble accepting this depending on what you believe from the media but I don’t think there’s anyone who thinks Russell Westbrook is the alpha dog on that team. That being said, OKC will not trade Westbrook for Rondo. If they were open to that possibility they wouldn’t have signed an extension with him a month ago. If Deron Williams is the only other possibility then the chances are slim of that happening. Not impossible but far from likely.
BlackMass - February 21, 2012
Well
Apparently Westbrook thinks that he can be the alpha dog in the Thunder, he showed it in the last playoffs. One single game when they scored 91 pts will not change the fact that Westbrook that and Durant do not complement one another.
Sebal - February 21, 2012
We don't know what's going on
Rondo might have every reason to be annoyed and impatient. Actually the way we have been playing, he should be. He just has to use that as motivation for his own work (“be the change you want to see in the world”).
European NBA fan - February 21, 2012
I can’t imagine a possible trade scenario. I doubt OK would part with Westbrook.
jurrasicearl - February 21, 2012 via mobile
And sorry but.... who the hell is Callahan anyway?
japsuki - February 21, 2012
Gerry Callahan may not be the absolute last person on the planet I would look to for guidance on anything.
But he’s probably among the last 5.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
LOL
Little D - February 21, 2012
+1
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
please don't curse
(and yes, I’m a prude but I consider the H word cursing)
Jeff Clark - February 21, 2012
My apologies.
japsuki - February 21, 2012
Hells not a curse my dude
It is a make believe place religious zealots make up to scare lambs into buying into the propaganda. Nothing more then a bs horror story. It would be more appropriate to say I am a prude so i consider any mention of made up places in fallacies as a black eye on celticblog. ;-)
Rondizzle - February 21, 2012
In only makes sense
If we get equal value in return which is unlikely at this point because everyone outside of the “Celtics bubble” believes we’re done and a fire sale is imminent.
CelticsFanNC - February 21, 2012
This^
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
Seems I remember ....
,,,people advocating ditching Paul Pierce back in his younger days thinking he would never be a team leader because of his Boston nightlife, his episode during the playoffs with the towel around his head, and his willingness to have Antoine Walker be the motivator and team inspiration.
nickagneta - February 21, 2012
Yeah, Pierce was pretty immature in some ways for quite some time.
But he never had that “I want to show you up” meanness that Rondo seems to have.
Fortunately Danny’s not going to surrender to Callahan’s defeatist conclusion that they’re going to be in bad rebuilding mode for the next three years. If DH makes it to FA, which is looking increasingly likely, the C’s have as good a chance as any team to pry him away from Orlando—and that would change everything.
I’m not saying there isn’t a trade out there for Rondo that Danny could and would make, but it’s not for just whatever to get rid of him. Too soon to assume years and years in the wilderness!
clover - February 21, 2012
Is Rondo's "I want to show you up" meanness a bad thing?
It seems like that competitive edge is exactly what you look for in a young player. At times it can be self destructive but it’s also the same attitude that motivated Larry Bird or Jordan to have to win every game no matter what. For me. that’s one of Rondo’s strongest selling points.
BlackMass - February 21, 2012
On the court, fine.
But off the court he’s long been acknowledged as a difficult personality for his teammates, coaches and even lowly members of the press. That’s the meanness I’m referring to, not some sort of on-court competitiveness.
In contrast, Pierce has always seemed pretty good natured, though he’s of course a fierce competitor in games.
clover - February 21, 2012
yes, the problem is however..
Is that Rondo doesn’t bring that attitude every game. In fact, he’s quite selective as to whenever good Rondo will show up at any given ball game. Rondo’s usually at his best after a bad game, or in response to public criticism, or to show why he deserved to be selected for the all star game. I think after the incident that resulted in his current 2 game suspension, Rondo’s punkiness and bad attitude is more apparent then ever and one of the main reasons at this point as it does not reflect Celtic pride and tradition and no team truly wants a player like that on their team, all balling skills aside.
Mikey Bizzle - February 21, 2012 via iPhone app
I remember those days also!
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
Good point.
jurrasicearl - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Did somebody in here say "Who is Calahan?'
Was that a joke? This is a blog, written by Blogger’s, with links to articles written by other basketball bloggers….
So a credible journalist weighs in and you say, “Who is he to say anything?” hahahahha…. nice one.
rickyfan3.0... - February 21, 2012
Callahan inexplicably writes for the Herald though
So the non – Celtics blog public has to listen to his vague, inane and unhelpful opinions through no fault of their own.
BlackMass - February 21, 2012
Great point and right on the money
vinnie - February 21, 2012
Calahan ... credible journalist ???
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
He is a columnist so everything is his opinion
Not sure how you measure credible with him. I do know that he is a right wing nutjob, which is why I don’t listen to his show.
vinnie - February 21, 2012
Yeah, if the phrase was "published opinion monger" I wouldn't question it for a second.
The phrase “credible journalist” implies certain standards, such as research, fact checking, editorial quality control, etc.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
+1. Plus I don't like him because he is a UMass grad (as am I) and he constantly denigrates the school
vinnie - February 21, 2012
Here is a fail proof life strategy: ask Callahan what to do, then do the opposite.
jurrasicearl - February 21, 2012 via mobile
If the last choice were "Yes, trade him if the right deal comes along"
…that would be my answer. Since none of the others match, I am once again forced to abstain. (But I’ll get over it….)
JR99 - February 21, 2012
I don't care as long as Ray Allen stays.
Ray has shown consistency over the past couple years and is a team leader. We would be crazy to let him go.
nathangouge - February 21, 2012 via mobile
K.G and Allen should not be traded
worth it veterans on the bench, next season.
celtics2011 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Trading them doesn't necessarily have anything to do with whether they sign them for the bench next season.
I think it’s just a bit unlikely Danny can find a worthwhile deal for them at this point.
clover - February 21, 2012
Trading Ray ray n KG
Means we dont have their bird rites. which may or may not makket but I dont see any team giving us much for our corpses that still get paid like supertars. Its gotta be:
Rondo
Ray
Truth
Big Ticket
D12
Bench: Pietrus, Bass, Green, JJ and a decent pg ahem delonte,
Rondizzle - February 21, 2012
Agreed
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
deteremining the next move
whatever Danny does ,any trade is done with the thought of how it helps get the next player here this summer.Take a bullet if needed but don’t blow our only player chip in Rondo.
My guess,he adds Kaman after he’s released and trades nobody.If he acquires a top player,I say it’s DWill
Motown - February 21, 2012
He ain't going no where, please stop dreaming haters!
He is only being moved for a superstar.
The fact is you simply cannot get the same value back for Rondo in any kind of trade.
Danny will build around him, using him as the second fiddle to a superstar of some kind.
He’s just too valuable for all his faults.
This clown hasn’t offered any trade suggestions. Should we trade him for some McNuggets? How bout a late first rounder? Or maybe Robin Lopez?
The only way he is moved is for someone like Deron Williams or Chris Paul, in order to try and attract another superstar free agent.
Right now he is just too good for this aging squad and it’s crippling him to have to play with these guys as he enters his prime, they are just a little too past it now.
All NBA defensive team, top 3 passer, best offensive facilitator in the NBA, top 3 in the NBA at the one man fast break.(Lebron, Westbrook, Rondo).
Sometimes people just don’t know what they have till it’s gone, you all act like it’s so easy to replace an All Star point guard like Rondo.
Can someone please tell me what we could realistically get in return for his talent and age and contract ? He is just too good for the money we are paying him.
Chambers - February 21, 2012
easy on the "haters" talk please
remember – respect
Jeff Clark - February 21, 2012
+1
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
+1
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
Agreed.
jurrasicearl - February 21, 2012 via mobile
This is a business first and Rondo has a great contract.
KG and Ray are expiring contracts and come off the books at the end of the year. Running it as a business, it is better those contracts come off the books than to trade them for contracts that may not, or interfere with the big picture, which is to keep us in contention every year and not rebuild. Pierce is a Celtic and there is monetary value to the team to tout that. Everyone else is expendable and interchangeable but DA has two rookie contracts, Bradley’s contract, Sasha and Daniels playing for the minimum, and JO gone after the season. If Danny is thinking business, then he virtually stands pat because the amount of money he will have to build around Rondo and Pierce will be ridiculous. The only issue for me is whether DA will make some good decisions in the off season with the space.
The only way I see Rondo gone is if it is a locker room issue. He is a solid PG and a competitor with a good contract so if he goes, it is because he is not getting along with the others.
JPV - February 21, 2012
It almost seems like they are not listening to Doc anymore, or they are just too old and beat up to will their bodies to move fast enough to keep up with anyone else. There must be a book circulating around called “How To Beat The Boston Celtics” written by all the ex-Celtic assistant coaches who have gone on to become head coaches.
OT (because I’m too lazy to find the correct thread): After watching some of the game last night – most of the first half – I saw why Doc doesn’t play the bench too much. It’s because they don’t play well enough to be out there. It is time to flip the switch from “coddling aging superstars” to “training NBA players”. The key last time was maximizing the abilities of the players they have, and then using them as trading chips to get name players to win it all. Everyone on this present team should know that they are going to be either traded or dropped during this coming offseason. It is part of the plan. So, showcasing, moral victories, and hiding weaknesses/maximizing strengths will be the game plan for the rest of the year. Danny will not pull the plug mid season. He will wait till the end of the year and throw the cars on the air, and play 15 card pick-up
johnnymost - February 21, 2012
Stat line
I just do not understand why jajuan Johnson. And etwaun Moore don’t play more minutes their combined statlines 23 minutes 1 foul (end of the quarter had one to give) 0 turnovers 50%shooting 14 points 5 rebounds 2 assists I don’t understand how bass plays 0 minutes Garnett plays 0 minutes Wilcox plays 13 minutes Johnson and stiemsma play 16 minutes and oneal plays 19 minutes. Those are all our 4s and 5s and they play a combined 64 minutes?! Maybe rondo isn’t the problem maybe it’s doc rivers
JuJuan some moore - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Putting my love of Rondo's unconventional game aside...
Even though Rondo has a very tradable contract, I don’t think Ainge can get anything close to equal value back for him. On a League that values offense over everything else, Rondo will only have value on a team that has plenty of scoring, but little D or playmaking.
As horrible as it is to say, I think their most willing trade partner might be to the Knicks who will need defense & playmaking to make it to the next level. Lin as good as he’s been, isn’t going to take them to the Conference Finals anytime soon. What NY can give back in trade is the question. I’m pretty sure Isaiah Thomas gave away most of their high picks for this decade, which is something Ainge needs to have if he’s going to rebuild.
I’ll guess we’ll see….
LuckyNumber07 - February 21, 2012
Garnett = out of town/DNP
Wilkox = hurt during game
JO = hurt during game
Sorry to break it to you.
johnnymost - February 21, 2012
lol
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
Rondo has the trade value...
… and you’ve got to wonder what ownership thinks about Rondo as the new “Face of the Franchise.” I mean, he is an otherworldly talent (some nights), but is he the guy that you’re putting up on the billboards to sell tickets? Casual fans aren’t buying tickets to go see this guy pout. It also seems pretty obvious that he’s a handful to deal with behind the scenes.
If he gets traded, it’s going to be because they got good value (maybe not equal value, but good value), and because they’re scared to death about what his attitude’s going to be like when he doesn’t have the veteran leadership beside him.
Pierce had his own immaturity issues, and they gambled that he could grow into his leadership role. That’s notable because it doesn’t usually happen like that. Just because Pierce grew up doesn’t mean Rondo will.
theBird - February 21, 2012
To trade or not to trade.
Seems simple. He’s moved if Ainge gets the return he’s looking for. Rondo is inconsistent. Some nights he’s all world with the fancy passes and drives to the hoop. Some nights he’s just not engaged with turnovers and such. I feel he’s overrated by most. He’s very good, just not as good as a lot of people think. Ainge has always favored offense and shooting. He has a favorable contract so we keep him? It also makes him easier to move. We need quality size more than anything. If he can fetch that great. If not, keep him here.
celty86 - February 21, 2012
I know that's one view of Ainge, but I just don't see it.
I see a GM who kept every single one of his defensively top homegrown guys—and traded the rest—to what has consistently been a defense-first team.
Sure, we can readily see now that offense is also much needed, and shooting is also always important, but Danny and his coach have built their identity here with D.
clover - February 21, 2012
agree
that’s clearly been the emphasis of both Doc AND Danny.
One could argue that they’ve even taken it to a a fault, given our current offensive woes. But that definitely has been the emphasis.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
*to create what has consistently been*
clover - February 21, 2012
Rondo
He seems tired and hurt and alone. The ball also seemed to move better with Bradley bringing it up and Pierce as point forward. That’s workable in some situations. Rondo and O’Neal for Jefferson would be alright with me. Don’t know what Utah would think.
old_fan - February 21, 2012
I guess
Only Pierce or Rondo or both of them will be traded if we speak of “BLOCKBUSTER TRADES” that could happen on the trade deadline. I’m already okay with the idea of Williams-Rondo trade, or Gay-Pierce (that has been posted weeks ago in this blog). I believe Allen and KG will not be traded since they have expiring contracts, which be of good use for the next free agency, and at the same time to provide that stability as veterans of the team in the present roster.
ball is green - February 21, 2012
keep rondo- trade callahan. we traded paul westphal at about the same age as rondo and he haunted us a good 10 years tho out west: he was less a pain to us. we need height so bad -where is our inside game? teams can keep us out in the periphery and work on us out there because we have nothing inside. rondo is our best low post player and with paul looking like a pensioner, the only guy who can drive is rr. this has to be rectified, the sooner the better.
nazzbo - February 21, 2012
We traded Westphal for Charlie Scott, and won a championship.
Little D - February 21, 2012
CELTIC FAN SINCE 60'S
Celtics need change… Bottom Line Factor: AGE—-can not keep up with the ATHLETES in the League…Wait too long “PRICE GOES UP.” Real sad, Perkins let go for literally Nothing…I remember Ainge had trouble throwing ball out of bounds while playing on Celtics——HE REALLY THREW BALL OUT OF BOUNDS HERE!!! Celtics need a big man like a Dwight Howard or a Blake Griffin to replace Perkins.
zappop777 - February 21, 2012
I think
there is zero chance Danny blows his cap space for Westbrook. We have a true point guard with a good contract and I can’t see Ainge trading him for a combo guard with a max contract that shoots under 30% on threes. Deron is another story. If that deal can be done then you do it and Danny will. With the shooters we have on this team, his assists will go through the roof. His ability to stretch the floor would probably give this team new life going into the playoffs. Don’t be fooled by all the games lost to injury. The goal is to be healthy come playoff time. The only goal for the regular season is don’t get Miami in the first round. I still believe this team will do some damage come playoff time.
dmick34 - February 21, 2012
Clover, I hear what you're saying.
But he traded Perk for offense and Perk was a homegrown defensive guy. He let Tony Allen and James Posey go in different years over money and length of contracts. I don’t see where Ainge was valueing defense over the offense. I had heard once a quote that was attributed to Ainge about shooters being like putting in golf. Just a stupid line that’s all. But everthing I have heard is that Ainge has become more amd more concerned with the dry spells of the offense during games that has been occuring for a long time now. Hence his attempts at fixing it. I hope he’s looking for a quality big that we can run our offense through in the post. I would give Rondo up for that type of player.
celty86 - February 21, 2012
The TA and Posey contract lengths weren't about defense or offense, they were about not ending up in a decade of mediocrity heck (as Jeff would have us say).
So also was the Perk move.
Back before he was planning for the post-Big Three era, Perk, TA and RR were the young guys he kept—exceptional defensive players more than offensive stars to a man.
And yes, I expect his efforts are focused on luring a top-tier big here first and foremost. How successful he is at it, we’ll have to wait and see.
clover - February 21, 2012
Hat tip to Celtics town with a great response:
http://www.celticstown.com/2012/02/21/if-you-want-to-write-a-trade-rondo-column-write-it-the-right-way/comment-page-1/#comment-167787
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
+1
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
The only guard I could see Danny trading for is Dwill. No one else is worth the money
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
Or Chris Paul :)
A DWill deal would be excellent
vinnie - February 21, 2012
Why not Rose while we're at it?
clover - February 21, 2012
rather have dwill instead of rose
Blackberry33 - February 21, 2012
obviously the only top trade targets that make a lot of sense would be D-Will or DH12
and primarily because if you got one of them via trading Rondo, you could then sign the other as a FA in the summer with our cap room.
The only question that begs is whether DH12+DW is a better core than DH12+RR. I could make an argument for both. The former is probably a better offensive combination. The latter is a better defensive combo and makes better economic sense. Either would be a great twosome around which to build.
If Howard was at all possible to obtain via trade and a package of Rondo could get him, you make that deal. Otherwise, if Howard is going to go to FA, you only try for a RR→DW trade if you are certain Howard would only come here to play with DWill.
One of those scenarios would be great. I just don’t have a lot of hope for either.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
I just don't see Orlando trading DH given how well they're playing this year.
I think the challenge will be to dislodge him from state income tax free Orlando in the offseason, given that Orlando will be allowed to pay him more too.
clover - February 21, 2012
I agree. The only way they move him is if they suddenly flounder for whatever reason.
So I’m not holding my breath.
The bigger problem in luring him as a FA is their ability to offer the bigger max contract. The state income tax difference only makes a difference on half the games. Not a small amount of money by any means, but I don’t think that is a deal breaker compared to other issues.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
Trade Rondo?
Too me, I think everything depends on K.G. & Ray, if they’re willing to accept the vet minimum next season. Before trading anyone, this should be first priority before moving forward. Danny should find a way to keep all big three together or two and build the bench around them. It would be wise to keep them and let them retire as a Celtic. Plus, they can pass knowledge down to the younger players – that’s a huge plus.. Second move, trade or drop Marquis Daniels, Keyon Dooling, Jermaine O’Neal, Aleksandar Pavlovic, JaJuan Johnson and Avery Bradley. Keep Brandon Bass, Mickael Pietrus, E’Twaun Moore, Chris Wilcox and Greg Stiemsma – move Greg Stiemsma to the power forward position. Third move, build around Rondo – pick up Dwight Howard (if possible) would be a nice start. Add Kirk Hinrich at SG, Greg Stiemsma at the PF position and the SF position is up for grabs. At first, I was keen about trading Rondo for Westbrook and sending KG to the Lakers. Today, I had a change of thought. Rondo & KG is the Celtics fire, backbone and heart. The C’s need that flame in order to rebuild the team. The C’s need two pieces, someone to rebound – size inside the paint and a reliable, consistent scorer. Trading Rondo is drastic and desperate. No need for more drastic trades. The C’s already made a huge mistake by being desperate – trading Perkins.
hepkat56 - February 21, 2012
I do not think its time to panic...
and for Ainge to trade Rondo just for the sake of trading him.
I think Ainge will calmly entertain offers for Rondo and maybe even seek to trade either alone or in a package if he can find a trade scenario that can bring back a player or players that will improve the Celtics.
I think if the C’s continue to falter come the trade deadline Rondo trade rumors will start to pop up and it should get rather interesting to see if Ainge will indeed pull the trigger on trading Rondo or not.
We can only guess, but only time will tell for sure.
fordescort - February 21, 2012
Theres really no sense in trading him now.
We probably wouldnt get what hes worth for one. And another thing is in rebuilding a team there are 2 most important parts one is a pretty good pointguard and two is a center. We already have Rondo who despite of not having an outside shot has done well for himself. I remeber back in the day Jkidd didnt have a very reliable outside shot either.
The green mamba - February 21, 2012 via mobile
If the C's trade Rondo, do it because it is a basketball move
rather than because he got suspended and must be a cancer etc….Geeze, we put up with Sheed’s constant whine to the refs and all the T’s. We can surely forgive Rondo for this one. I personally love that he threw the ball at the ref even though it cost us a couple of games. The ref made a terrible call. Should have fined him instead of giving him the same sentence as Kevin Love, who committed assault. At least he is playing with passion and seems to care. But trade him only if it brings back a better player aand not because he lost his temper.
JPV - February 21, 2012
I doubt if it even 'cost us a couple of games'.
I think that KG’s absence was by far a bigger problem right now than Rondo’s suspension. Rondo is extremely valuable to the team, but we simply can NOT seem to win at all without KG. KG continues to be our defensive heart and sole (and a significant option on offense).
We’ve lost every game that KG has missed so far this year and it has been U-G-L-Y each time. (To be specific, we have lost every game that we’ve been missing EITHER KG and/or Pierce:
http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/2/21/2813919/sanity-check-ii-still-about-kg-and-pierce
)
In other words, even if Rondo did not toss the ball and get suspended – I doubt we win either of the last two games.
So at most it may have cost us one game – assuming we don’t win this next game.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
Or, more to the point, they probably would have lost to Dallas and OKC anyway--KG or no.
Losing Rondo for matchups with Charlotte or Toronto would probably have been more costly.
clover - February 21, 2012
Center and PG
It seems that history tells us that a “great” post presence that lacks a “great” PG is far more successful than the other way around. Look at the Celtics (80’s) – Lakers (with Kobe) – Spurs, Magic, Rockets, etc. Magic’s lakers were the only team that had “greats” at both positions— and they still lost a couple to our celtics with a heavy post presence. If we could acquire a great post player, or a tandem post threat, Rondo IMO becomes less a factor. Look at Fischer, whose only job is to defer to others and knock down open jumpers. If we can’t get a post threat- build with athletic wings and Bigs—-
P stoff - February 21, 2012
We can only hope that the Lin story has helped to hype the difference a good PG can make--
—and there’s a sudden rush of GM’s trying to trade good front-court players to get one.
clover - February 21, 2012
keep rondo
Rondo is an Unselfish and True PG. you wont find anyone else better that’s available right now in the league.
badtzmaru - February 21, 2012
You know, this blog is more interesting than the games being played.
johnnymost - February 21, 2012
I tend to agree with those who are of the opinion that we will not receive a fair deal from our perspective in a rondo trade. The same could possibly also be said about a pierce trade. In the end, trading either is a risky proposition and clearly indicative of the direction Danny is taking the team. One player that I really have my eye on an whom the c’s have made offers for in the past (supposedly) is paul george in indiana. This seems like a pipe dream, and I may be alone in thinking this, but I would pull the trigger on a pierce-george swap based on the upside there, Indy may not make that deal but possibly would if they are going all in on this year…
celts city - February 21, 2012
There's a lot more wrong with this team than Rondo...
…injuries,age,poor youth player development are all factors that coming back to bite this team in the ass right now. There is no quick fix for this team
yakyakyak - February 21, 2012
We need a scorer who can create his own shot at the end of games
Pierce used to be our go-to guy in these situations. But that role no longer suits him (at least not every night, anyway). Rondo clearly cannot be counted on in these scenarios. Probably never can be either.
What about a guy like Monta Ellis? Or even a combo package of Kyle Lowry + Luis Scola?
We do not have a player on our team who can average 20+ ppg for the whole season. Aside from the semi-recent Pistons, when has a team ever won anything without a 20ppg scorer?
MetroGlobe - February 21, 2012
Defense first.
Clover, out of curiosity, who are the defensive guys that you feel Ainge has kept making him a defensive minded GM? Just wondering. I agree about the Perk, Allen & Posey contracts. Everyone know they were about the salary cap. Still if Ainge values defense over all, wouldn’t he have kept one of them?
celty86 - February 21, 2012
Retire Big 3
Trade Rondo for DWill and lure Dwight Howard in FA.
That’s the only…incredible, possible way to think of?
SparzWizard - February 21, 2012
you dont trade a pg who isnt even in his prime yet unless its for a star
period . he’’s about 2 years away from his ceiling
stylo617617 - February 21, 2012
Im telling you guys losing Rondo aint worth it. Like really which team would give us a fair shake? They know were hurting for a trade and we all know haste makes waste. So like ive been preaching the whole season be patient. The right time, the right deal is bound to come. As far as losing Rondo unless they wanna trade for Dwight I woudlnt do it. Maybe if the clippers go nuts and want to move CP3.
The green mamba - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Surprise, surprise... I agree with Callahan
Who knows? Maybe Dwight ends up in LA. The Nets panic and trade Deron to us. Then we make another move, including the Big 3 and pair someone else with Deron so that he doesn’t walk out the door this summer. We then resign Jeff Green and draft Austin Rivers. That’s a dream scenario. That’s what I’d like to see happening. But who knows what’s really going to happen?
If not, just do something that makes sense because these pieces clearly don’t fit with each other anymore… we’re not contenders. The Heat and the Bulls are just way too good and a first round exit is not good enough with an old team. I don’t want the future of this team to resemble that of the Pistons, that’s why I believe trading Rondo makes a lot of sense. Again, nobody knows what’s available out there, but trading Rondo makes a lot of sense. It’s not illogical; it’s not crazy. It can happen and it might be for the best.
Celticsdude - February 21, 2012
Realistically who can we get for Rajon? Someone who 100 percent is gonna stay for at least 3 yers or so?
The green mamba - February 21, 2012 via mobile
As I said in my post, I don't know who's available
As I also said, Deron might be an option if Orlando goes to LA.
If you’re Danny, you listen to offers, and if there’s one that will help us be competitive in the future, you pull the trigger. I’m not saying trade Rondo for Luke Ridnour or something…
Celticsdude - February 21, 2012
If Dwight goes to LA*
Obviously, Orlando can’t go to LA unless you’re referring to my cousin.
Celticsdude - February 21, 2012
How can it make a lot of sense if you aren't saying who he is to be traded for?
Very confusing post.
mmmmm - February 21, 2012
Lol, I agree. It got confusing at the end.
I mentioned Deron Williams. I also didn’t want to give more names because I don’t know who’s on the trading block, so it would make no sense for me to throw random names out there.
Celticsdude - February 21, 2012
GREAT RESPONSE FOR CALLAHAN ARTICLE
http://www.celticstown.com/2012/02/21/if-you-want-to-write-a-trade-rondo-column-write-it-the-right-way/
BB4 - February 21, 2012
this is a good response
It’s not what Callahan’s arguing that’s annoying but the fact that it’s just glibly rattled off by someone who is clearly not paying that close attention and has no problem omitting details to help paint a two dimensional caricature of Rondo and the Celtics as a team. “Lazy” is really the best way to describe it.
BlackMass - February 22, 2012
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