359 replies to this topic

[Marbleheader]

Lots of questions in the fallout of the Chris Paul-Lakers news. Can this team attract a young star to build around? Is 2012 the end of their relevance for a long time?

[Lazy vs Crazy]

Best bet is to trade him for an expiring contract (Steve Nash?), amnesty Pierce after the season, and sign the best three players available next offseason because the team will have essentially no money committed.

Not pretty, but probably the best plan long term.

Edited by Lazy vs Crazy, 08 December 2011 - 09:51 PM.

[CreightonGubanich]

I think Rondo will be fine. He'll probably sulk a bit for a few weeks, but I can't see it affecting his play for too long. Rondo's a real unique player; I think he's the best pure distributor in the NBA. He might also be the best defensive point guard, and the best rebounding guard. Obviously, he has his flaws as well.

I actually think he doesn't get enough credit. At first, he benefited greatly from playing with three future HOF talents. But I think the pendulum has swung the other way, to the point where he's propping up the Big Three as elite players, and I'm not sure people realize it yet. There is no way that KG, Pierce and Allen could score as efficiently as they do these days without Rondo getting them easy shots. Look at them individually - Allen can't take anyone off the dribble anymore. KG gets a ton of open 18-foot jumpers because the defense collapses on Rondo. Pierce can still create his own shot, but he can't carry a team offensively anymore. Rondo's the engine of the offense - when he's off the floor, everything stalls. I'll put it this way - I think he's capable of being the best player on a championship team. But he needs at least two volume scorers to finish the looks he creates.

I'm not sure Danny has much of a choice now but to make one last run with Rondo and the Big Three. Yeah, you could blow it up now, but for what purpose? They'll be in perfectly fine shape cap-wise after the season - the issue is getting anyone to sign here. If Howard is traded and signs an extension, there's no elite players on the horizon that don't play Rondo's position.

Edited by CreightonGubanich, 09 December 2011 - 09:11 AM.

[Marbleheader]

I hope he comes back fired up after seeing the league doesn't consider him elite. However, I fear he's going to be 2004 Nomar. Maybe they'll trade him at the deadline and win a title.

[OttoC]

It makes no sense to me to trade Rondo for Paul, who apparently does not want to come to the Celtics. Paul is scheduled to make about $6.3M more in salary for the 2011-12 season than Rondo and Rondo is signed through the 2014-15 season while Paul will be a free agent after this season. Because the NBA owns the Hornets, I suspect that they want to keep that team's payroll low and the other team owners would love to see the Celtics pushed over the salary cap.

If Boston had to lose a GM this fall, why couldn't it have been Ainge?

[Marbleheader]

Ultimately, the difference in talent between Rondo and Paul could be the difference between a title contender and a good playoff team. The C's could then sign and trade Paul after the season if he didn't want to stay and get the returns. Boston just doesn't draw top NBA free agents, they have to get the pieces to trade for one or draft one.

[AimingForYoko]

I went with malcontent. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see him going along his merry way. Hopefully he won't turn into a complete headcase/poison. But again, I hope I'm wrong.

[simplyeric]

Boston just doesn't draw top NBA free agents, they have to get the pieces to trade for one or draft one.

why would this be?
(I don't mean this sarcastically, I'm genuinely curious).

[jsinger121]

why would this be?
(I don't mean this sarcastically, I'm genuinely curious).

Cold weather city. Aging talent.

[Marbleheader]

Weather's not that much different than NY. It's probably more about social opportunities, rubbing elbows with other stars....Boston's not known for rating high in the nightlife category. Boston could use a 4-5am district, but we can't even have beer vendors at Fenway, so there you go.

[Beomoose]

I fear he'll be a head case, I hope/expect him to be motivated to show he's as good as he thinks he is. Actually those two aren't mutually exclusive.

Barring a complete hissy fit, though, I'd rather keep him around than see him go.

[Jed Zeppelin]

@peterstringer:

Rondo is very upbeat and happy. Vocal with media and cracking jokes. Says he'll be more cooperative with media. #celticscamp

"Danny's believed in me since Day 1. I've been in a lot of trade talks. I'm sensitive. I'm human.But at end of the day I'm comfortable." -RR

@ESPNForsberg:

Rondo was funny, engaging, and not afraid to tackle the tough topics. If rumors affected him, he's not showing it.

@scott_souza:

Rajon Rondo did everything he could to show he was mature, upbeat and happy to be in Boston. He was as conversational and cordial as ever.

Edited by Jed Zeppelin, 09 December 2011 - 08:56 PM.

[Hee-Seop's Fable]

I think Rondo will be fine. He'll probably sulk a bit for a few weeks, but I can't see it affecting his play for too long. Rondo's a real unique player; I think he's the best pure distributor in the NBA. He might also be the best defensive point guard, and the best rebounding guard. Obviously, he has his flaws as well.

I actually think he doesn't get enough credit. At first, he benefited greatly from playing with three future HOF talents. But I think the pendulum has swung the other way, to the point where he's propping up the Big Three as elite players, and I'm not sure people realize it yet. There is no way that KG, Pierce and Allen could score as efficiently as they do these days without Rondo getting them easy shots. Look at them individually - Allen can't take anyone off the dribble anymore. KG gets a ton of open 18-foot jumpers because the defense collapses on Rondo. Pierce can still create his own shot, but he can't carry a team offensively anymore. Rondo's the engine of the offense - when he's off the floor, everything stalls. I'll put it this way - I think he's capable of being the best player on a championship team. But he needs at least two volume scorers to finish the looks he creates.

I'm not sure Danny has much of a choice now but to make one last run with Rondo and the Big Three. Yeah, you could blow it up now, but for what purpose? They'll be in perfectly fine shape cap-wise after the season - the issue is getting anyone to sign here. If Howard is traded and signs an extension, there's no elite players on the horizon that don't play Rondo's position.

Great summation. Rondo does depend on other players to make him what he is; that's the nature of a pure distributing point guard. But his aptitude for making the players around him better just depends on players always ready to receive the ball, just as Tommy has hammered for years. Those smarts and skills don't show up everywhere, but they aren't terribly rare. Ainge can find players like that. Whether he can find a championship combination of talent I'm very skeptical, but one that wins 50 games and competes in the playoffs every year wouldn't be a disaster. There'll be a lot of luck involved in developing mid-level talent and finding a top talent that wants to join the group.

Given the new landscape, it doesn't look good for 75% of the league, but we could be in much worse hands and facing much lower odds.

[Marbleheader]

Good to see Rondo was in good spirits. Now let's see him routinely knock down 15 footers.

[crystalline]

Rondo playing with fire against Miami. I can't see the game well- is he lashing out at Wade? I can't believe I almost forgot that Wade injured him last year with that dirty-pool arm sweep. I'm shocked that play didn't get more attention at the time. If I were Rondo I'd be on a personal vendetta- that move effectively finished the Celts last year.

[knucklecup]

All things being equal, the Celtics beat the Heat if Wade doesn't take out Rondo in my opinion.

Thing is, all things aren't equal. Officials favor Miami because they're more marketable and thus make more money.

[jmcc5400]

I feel a hell of a lot better aboout the 2011-2012 edition than I did a few days ago. Looks like they may get legitimate contributions from Dooling, Bass and Wilcox off the pine. If Pietrus can give them anything and Doc can ration the minutes of the rickety 3, they could be a real pain for the Eastern Conference as a 6 seed.

As for the subject of this thread, he made some moronic passes with too high a degree of difficulty, but am very encouraged by the trips to the line and the decent ft shooting so far. I mean, if Rondo could just shoot 65% from the line and lose the pathological unwillingness to go to the stripe . . .

23 trips to the line in 2 games. Just 132 in 68 games last year. Very encouraging.

[HomeRunBaker]

All things being equal, the Celtics beat the Heat if Wade doesn't take out Rondo in my opinion.

Thing is, all things aren't equal. Officials favor Miami because they're more marketable and thus make more money.

Is that what you took from this game?

I saw the far superior team coast for the entire game with a double digit lead only to get a little sloppy only to find themselves in a game thanks to Keyon Dooling. Once they realized this they had role players step up and executed when they had to. I don't think Miami at any point felt they were in danger of losing this game.

[Nick Kaufman]

I disagree with you HRB. Miami is a better team, but they didn't simply stepped their foot off the gas. They were about to choke and they got bailed out by the refs and Cole.

OTOH, like I said on the gamethread, I am very concerned about Pierce. It seems to me the Cs aren't as capable at creating their own shot in the final minutes of a game as a team like Miami or Chicago or even La is.

[knucklecup]

Is that what you took from this game?

I saw the far superior team coast for the entire game with a double digit lead only to get a little sloppy only to find themselves in a game thanks to Keyon Dooling. Once they realized this they had role players step up and executed when they had to. I don't think Miami at any point felt they were in danger of losing this game.

Not from this game, no.

I agree with CelticsBlog thoughts, that "The Heat were overall the better team tonight so I'm not blaming the loss on the refs, but yeah, they were not very good tonight."

But the officiating was one sided in that series as well, and I happen to think that a healthy Rondo makes that series a lot closer than it would have/could have been.

[knucklecup]

I disagree with you HRB. Miami is a better team, but they didn't simply stepped their foot off the gas. They were about to choke and they got bailed out by the refs and Cole.

OTOH, like I said on the gamethread, I am very concerned about Pierce. It seems to me the Cs aren't as capable at creating their own shot in the final minutes of a game as a team like Miami or Chicago or even La is.

The zone defense did a number on the Heat's offensive efficiency. Ray hit some shots, Bass hit some shots, Dooling hit some shots... The Celtics didn't come back in this game, or in the first game, because the other team wasn't trying as hard. They came back because they're one of the better teams in the East when healthy.

[Eddie Jurak]

Will having Rondo - a pass first PG - on the team help in recruiting star scorers?

[Bleedred]

***DISCLAIMER: Rajon Rondo has unique talents as a point guard. He sees the floor extremely well, he is as fast as lightning, he's a great defender when motivated, he is unselfish, and he rebounds about as well as if not better than any guard his size in the league. This team goes as far as Rondo goes, and he is not in the top 10 worries about the 2011-2012 Celtics.

However, he has 3 massive faults in my view. First, his FT%. If he cannot shoot more than 65% from the line, then he is a liability toward the end of a game, particularly in the playoffs. Second, he is either unwilling or afraid to finish. Exhibit 106: Last night's 2nd Qtr air ball while all alone on the break. Rather than just glide in and dunk or lay it up, he was afraid(?)and looked over his shoulder to see where the trailing defender was. This is not the first time he has been extremely reluctant to finish. Third, his inability or unwillingness to shoot the open 12 footer when presented to him. I know it's fashionable to say he can knock that shot down and/or that he gets to see the floor better when the defense lays off him. I believe that's delusional. If a PG cannot hit that shot with some regularity, he is an extremely flawed PG. Jason Kidd realized that when he entered the league, and turned himself into a better than average shooter. Rondo has yet to do that.

Like I noted above, Rondo is now the best player on this team IMO. However, the flaws in his game need to be ironed out over the next year or two, or he will never be the transcendent star that I think he could be.

[lars10]

However, he has 3 massive faults in my view. First, his FT%. If he cannot shoot more than 65% from the line, then he is a liability toward the end of a game, particularly in the playoffs. Second, he is either unwilling or afraid to finish. Exhibit 106: Last night's 2nd Qtr air ball while all alone on the break. Rather than just glide in and dunk or lay it up, he was afraid(?)and looked over his shoulder to see where the trailing defender was. This is not the first time he has been extremely reluctant to finish.

I think saying Rondo doesn't finish is more than unfair... for every one that he hasn't finished there are 100 that he has. The guy is short and is regularly finishing at the rim in the half court. Last nights air ball was a case of DWade making a great fake. In every other instance there had been body contact... to go up for a dunk in that situation would be crazy going full speed... if Wade does go up like he appeared he was going to and Rondo is dunking? He ends up flat on his back or in the front row in a very awkward position. Rondo is a small guy comparably and has gone down hard a ton... to expect him to go into large bodies (which he does regularly) and finish every time is a tad much i think.

[lars10]

Also..to the second question... I think Rondo is an Elite point guard but needs two players around him...like every other team in the league there have to be at least three stars...Rondo can't win it on his own...nor can anyone else.

[BigSoxFan]

These first 2 games have actually made me more bullish on Rondo as a franchise "building block", which is something I know that a lot of people around here are iffy about. I know that the 2011-2012 versions of KG/Allen aren't close to superstar level but Rondo has looked head and shoulders above both of them, in my opinion. He's the main reason why the Celtics have nearly beaten a good Knicks squad and a very good Heat team despite having mediocre talent and not having Pierce.

[slamminsammya]

As regards the point someone made that Rondo can't finish, that is the type of thing you can actually look up instead of making gut calls based on one bad play. In the 2010-2011 season, amongst point guards who attempted at least 2 shots at the rim per game, Rondo ranked 9th in FG% at the rim with a 63.1% mark. However, 2 shots at the rim per game is not very many, you may say. After all, Rondo himself averaged 4.3 attempts per game. If we compare him to other such slashers, which I will just arbitrarily call point guards who attempted 4 or more per game, his percentage at the rim was bested only by one man: the immortal Tony Parker. This group includes players like MVP Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Tyreke Evans, Deron Williams, and Devin Harris. And the numbers are similar for his previous seasons. So to say he can't finish is just not empirically true. Rondo is probably one of the best finishers at his position in the entire NBA.

And let us talk about the jump shot! Last season, Rondo attempted 3.3 field goals per game from 16-23 feet. This is what everyone considers his "trouble spot". I would agree that his confidence is sometimes lacking, but it is actually an effective shot for him. He shot 41% from this range last season, which is not great but it is middle to above the middle of the pack amongst players who logged greater than 15 minutes per game. Let me list some supposed "shooters" who were less efficient from that part of the floor: Richard Hamilton, Mo Williams, Eddie House, Joe Johnson, MVP D-ROSE!!!, Eric Gordon, Kobe Bryant, I could go on. Rondo is not a bad jump shooter. Rondo suffers from a lack of confidence.

So I hope that the actual numbers can help some people get off these tired narratives about Rondo. The man can play. My numbers came from the excellent website hoopdata.com

[lars10]

So I hope that the actual numbers can help some people get off these tired narratives about Rondo. The man can play. My numbers came from the excellent website hoopdata.com

I totally agree that Rondo is a decent jump shooter...i think the problem is is he doesn't shoot much from the outside since he usually has three better shooters to pass to.
It doesn't help that his shooting guard, and both forwards are mainly jump shooters so finding space to shoot is tough. I think KG hurts this spacing by playing so far out from the basket a majority of the time. This team needs rebounding.

I think Rondo is the least of our problems. He is the type of player that you hope to get out of the draft and rarely do. When required to step up he has done it successfully on every level of the playoffs..and led the team with a busted wing...He ups his game when he has to and subverts it so that the team is better..which i think is rare in todays MeBA
The kid is a player we should build around unless you're getting a player like Chris Paul back

[HomeRunBaker]

I disagree with you HRB. Miami is a better team, but they didn't simply stepped their foot off the gas. They were about to choke and they got bailed out by the refs and Cole.

OTOH, like I said on the gamethread, I am very concerned about Pierce. It seems to me the Cs aren't as capable at creating their own shot in the final minutes of a game as a team like Miami or Chicago or even La is.

Well here it is happening again. The Celtics getting hammered in the first half except this time it is to the lowly Hornets. I'm telling you, this team will be in a dogfight to make the playoffs and before people start with the "if they are healthy" angle this team is old, slow, and cramming 66 games into 4 months........there is NO team in the league who is going to remain healthy with this schedule much less this Celtics team.

[nighthob]

And let us talk about the jump shot! Last season, Rondo attempted 3.3 field goals per game from 16-23 feet. This is what everyone considers his "trouble spot". I would agree that his confidence is sometimes lacking, but it is actually an effective shot for him. He shot 41% from this range last season, which is not great but it is middle to above the middle of the pack amongst players who logged greater than 15 minutes per game. Let me list some supposed "shooters" who were less efficient from that part of the floor: Richard Hamilton, Mo Williams, Eddie House, Joe Johnson, MVP D-ROSE!!!, Eric Gordon, Kobe Bryant, I could go on. Rondo is not a bad jump shooter. Rondo suffers from a lack of confidence.

If Mr. Bean were allowed to take two foot set shots with no defenders within ten feet of him I bet he'd shoot more than 41%. This is the difference between being a primary scorer with defenders aggressively challenging your shot and being a tertiary scorer that's being allowed to shoot without interference because the defense considers it better than the alternative. Rondo isn't a good shooter no matter how you slice it. He can't catch & shoot, he can't shoot off the bounce. He can shoot wide open set shots, but so can most NBA players.

[HomeRunBaker]

If Mr. Bean were allowed to take two foot set shots with no defenders within ten feet of him I bet he'd shoot more than 41%. This is the difference between being a primary scorer with defenders aggressively challenging your shot and being a tertiary scorer that's being allowed to shoot without interference because the defense considers it better than the alternative. Rondo isn't a good shooter no matter how you slice it. He can't catch & shoot, he can't shoot off the bounce. He can shoot wide open set shots, but so can most NBA players.

Did you really attempt to engage in a debate with someone using "data" to show that Rondo is a better jump shooter than Kobe Bryant? Hey, i know i make some far-fetched statements at times......at least i don't attempt to justify my idiocy with a generic metric that is comparing apples to oranges.

[knucklecup]

That was a bad loss. One of those nights where you wish you didn't have the free NBA package until Jan 8th.

[nighthob]

@SHowardCooper
RT @dailythunder: @DarnellMayberry reports that KD and Westbrook had an altercation tonight and had to be separated: bit.ly/uzFshm

@ESPNSteinLine
Maybe it's nothin. As @ESPN_Caplan suggests, maybe Westbrook/Durant spat will be blip for OKC like Terry v Carlisle last season. However ...

@ESPNSteinLine
There are differences aplenty. Starting with fact that scrutiny meter on Durant/Westbrook relationship will now never switch off. Never

Well, no CP3, and the Clips pick has depreciated in value. But it appears that OKC may need to separate Westbrook & Durant. Any hope that this crisis forces Presti's hand before the Nets get desperate enough to try Williams for Westbrook? Because Rondo for Westbrook would seem, on the surface, to work pretty well for both teams. The Thunder need an offensive QB that will get Durant 30 FGA/game and Boston could use a primary scorer.

If Rivers got Ricky Davis to act sanely enough to nearly win a 6th Man of the Year award (let's face it, he'd've won it if so many of the voters weren't able to bring themselves to cast a ballot for Ricky Fucking Davis) I think he could get the best out of Westbrook. And it would certainly be a decent starting point for the rebuild/reload. (Let me tighten up this kevlar for when Gerbil starts shooting.)

[SpacemanzGerbil]

Honestly, you need to stop this Westbrook lunacy, though it is extremely amusing that you mention Buckets in the same post advocating for your boy. You know Rivers has a 3PT shooting PG fetish and Rusty Buckets shoots them worse than Rondo.

If you continue with this Westbrook nonsense, I'll be forced to begin a campaign to return Al Jefferson back to the Celtics fold.

[slamminsammya]

Did you really attempt to engage in a debate with someone using "data" to show that Rondo is a better jump shooter than Kobe Bryant? Hey, i know i make some far-fetched statements at times......at least i don't attempt to justify my idiocy with a generic metric that is comparing apples to oranges.

I never claimed he was a better jump shooter than Kobe Bryant. There is a difference between being skilled and being effecient. I don't doubt that in an empty gym Rondo will fare worse than most NBA players at shooting those shots. But that is not basketball. It is possible to be less skilled at something and nevertheless be more efficient at it. One of Rondo's strengths is that he does not force things, unlike many of the players on that list. It is better to take fewer shots at a higher percentage like Rondo does than to force lots of shots and be less efficient as a result a la Kobe.

I should have clarified what I was saying. I was making no claims about skill. I would not call Rondo a "skilled" jump shooter. I was discussing his effectiveness as a basketball player, which is a different thing.

And the condescension is not necessary.

[nighthob]

I never claimed he was a better jump shooter than Kobe Bryant. There is a difference between being skilled and being effecient. I don't doubt that in an empty gym Rondo will fare worse than most NBA players at shooting those shots. But that is not basketball. It is possible to be less skilled at something and nevertheless be more efficient at it. One of Rondo's strengths is that he does not force things, unlike many of the players on that list. It is better to take fewer shots at a higher percentage like Rondo does than to force lots of shots and be less efficient as a result a la Kobe.

I should have clarified what I was saying. I was making no claims about skill. I would not call Rondo a "skilled" jump shooter. I was discussing his effectiveness as a basketball player, which is a different thing.

And the condescension is not necessary.

The condescension was extremely necessary as you apparently still don't realize that there's a difference between between shooting off the dribble in the face of aggressive defense and a two foot set shot. Teams are happy to give Rondo that wide open set shot in the 15'-20' range as it means that they've had a successful defensive possession. They don't give up those shots to Derek Rose or Kobe Bryant.

[nighthob]

Honestly, you need to stop this Westbrook lunacy, though it is extremely amusing that you mention Buckets in the same post advocating for your boy. You know Rivers has a 3PT shooting PG fetish and Rusty Buckets shoots them worse than Rondo.

Westbrook isn't really "my boy" and I wasn't a fan of the thought when it first surfaced over the summer. But, in real terms Boston will need to do something.

If you continue with this Westbrook nonsense, I'll be forced to begin a campaign to return Al Jefferson back to the Celtics fold.

I have some bad news for you, he's probably going to be the starting center next year as word in Utah is that he's available for a protected second rounder.

[SpacemanzGerbil]

I have some bad news for you, he's probably going to be the starting center next year as word in Utah is that he's available for a protected second rounder.

You know, I'd take him in a heartbeat in the frontcourt in place of the corpses of KG or Jermaine right now. The team isn't playing defense these days anyway.

[nighthob]

You know, I'd take him in a heartbeat in the frontcourt in place of the corpses of KG or Jermaine right now. The team isn't playing defense these days anyway.

You need to watch Utah. He isn't better than JORC. Giving this some thought, you look at all the headcases that Rivers has got best performance from; Ricky Fucking Davis, The Terminator (aka Delonte West), Ra_on Rondo, and the three guys he couldn't get motivated were Marcus Banks, The Big Lazy and Old Lobster Claws (aka Mark Blount). How bad do you have to be when even Ricky Fucking Davis is easier to get to?

[SpacemanzGerbil]

You need to watch Utah. He isn't better than JORC. Giving this some thought, you look at all the headcases that Rivers has got best performance from; Ricky Fucking Davis, The Terminator (aka Delonte West), Ra_on Rondo, and the three guys he couldn't get motivated were Marcus Banks, The Big Lazy and Old Lobster Claws (aka Mark Blount). How bad do you have to be when even Ricky Fucking Davis is easier to get to?

Yeah, I don't watch Utah these days. Still, an empty 20/10 is a shitload better than an empty 2/4 with equally matador defense, which is what Jermaine is at this juncture.

[nighthob]

Yeah, I don't watch Utah these days. Still, an empty 20/10 is a shitload better than an empty 2/4 with equally matador defense, which is what Jermaine is at this juncture.

By 20/10 do you mean 20 minutes and ten missed FGA? Because that's what he's actually supplying for the Jazz these days. Once the Turkish Express takes over at the center spot Jefferson will be very available. The Jazz might even throw in picks to make someone feel better about paying all that money for him.

[SpacemanzGerbil]

By 20/10 do you mean 20 minutes and ten missed FGA? Because that's what he's actually supplying for the Jazz these days. Once the Turkish Express takes over at the center spot Jefferson will be very available. The Jazz might even throw in picks to make someone feel better about paying all that money for him.

Aside from being injury prone as a kid, I actually kind of always liked him. If the Joseph Smiths want a pu pu platter of failed draft picks and Jermaine for Jeffy's age 28 and 29 seasons, and also want to throw in picks, I'm hip.

[BigSoxFan]

Jefferson is the kind of addition that Ainge can make if he decides to try to extend out the Big 3's run in Boston. We wouldn't have to give up anything of value for him and he would definitely be an improvement over Jermaine O'Neal. He's started this year poorly but he was 19/10 guy for Utah last year and would be playing with a much, MUCH better pg in Rondo. And he's only signed for 2 more years.

[swingin val]

Jefferson is the kind of addition that Ainge can make if he decides to try to extend out the Big 3's run in Boston. We wouldn't have to give up anything of value for him and he would definitely be an improvement over Jermaine O'Neal. He's started this year poorly but he was 19/10 guy for Utah last year and would be playing with a much, MUCH better pg in Rondo. And he's only signed for 2 more years.

Jefferson is making 14 million dollars. Who exactly are the Celtics giving up to get him?

[BigSoxFan]

Jefferson is making 14 million dollars. Who exactly are the Celtics giving up to get him?

I believe the Celtics would only need to trade about $11.2 million in salary to make the trade work, since 125% of that number is Jefferson's salary. Jermaine O'Neal makes about 6.2 so you'd need at least 5 million more. Adding Bass/Bradley would make it work but it'd make no sense to do that since you'd be killing your frontcourt depth. Ultimately, a trade for Jefferson is unlikely but a trade like this is Ainge's only real option for trying to extend our window. We don't have the chips to do anything else of significance.

[knucklecup]

Wilcox makes money and can be traded as of March 1st.

[jmm57]

John Wallach on SportsHub Headlines just said the Celtics were interested in trading Rondo to LA in a deal involving Pau Gasol.

I didn't see this being discussed anywhere. Thoughts?

Edit:
http://tracking.si.c...on-rondo-trade/

Edited by jmm57, 08 February 2012 - 11:08 AM.

[BigSoxFan]

People are jumping to conclusions based on Kupchak's general comment. There's no way Ainge would trade Rondo for Gasol unless a 3rd team were involved. Even then it's unlikely because the team has started to look better.

[nighthob]

As I said in the other thread, if Kupcake prefers Rondo I'm not adverse to a three way deal which ends with Gasol in Houston and Lowry & the New York #1 here (along with filler like Thabeet, Lee, and WIlliams to make the salaries work)

[pjr]

No truth to the rumor of a trade of Rondo to LA for Pau Gasol, sportscenter 5 has learned
by Mike Dowling/Staff via mobile 2/8/2012 7:05:54 PM2:05 PM
http://livewire.thebostonchannel.com/Event/Latest_News_From_TheBostonChannelcom