Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks agree on Rajon Rondo trade

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>My time in Boston has meant so much. I've grown up with this city both as a basketball player and person. The love I have for the most loyal</p>&mdash; Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/status/545806905701318657">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And supportive fans in the league is unmatched. My teammates have shown nothing but heart the last couple of seasons.</p>&mdash; Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/status/545807204520329216">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>They are some of the hardest working guys I have played with and I wish them the best. I've experienced my most successful and challenging</p>&mdash; Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/status/545807445717958657">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Years w/ the Celtics, fans and city. The opportunity to play with guys like Dirk, Monta, Tyson and the young talent of Chandler is exciting</p>&mdash; Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/status/545807760571789313">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I look forward to building something special in Dallas.</p>&mdash; Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/status/545807920815169536">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Just glad we did not get RR. Bring us the Dragon back Morey.

 

That's what I've been saying. Adding Rondo to their offense makes no sense. The only "upgrade" Rondo brings to the Mavs is defense. But they also give up their backup center. If Chandler gets hurt, which is likely at his age, they might get worse defensively.

 

When healthy and motivated, he is a elite defender too. Definitely an defensive upgrade over Nelson.

 

Rondo gives them a another playmaker and a defensive stud at PG, in the deep West that is stacked with good PGs. I will be surprised if this doesn't make them better.

 

If Tyson Chandler got hurt, there's no chance they would be contending for the title.

 

The Mavs aren't getting 2009 Rondo. That defense has declined with his injuries.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources: Protections on the 2015 first-round pick Dallas sent Boston: Protected 1-3 and 15-30 in 2015; 2016-2020 protected to No. 7.</p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/545761598338772992">December 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Interesting protection. This means that the pick traded is most likely a 2016 pick. Boston only gets a 2015 Dallas pick in the off chance that Dallas misses the playoffs (which will likely require multiple injuries. But the West is tough enough that you just don't know.

After that, it's just a regular top 7 protected pick-- and who knows how good Dallas will be next year and thereafter? There is at least kind of a chance that thing would fall apart in the 2015-16 season.

 

People said the same thing about Howard. Think if we didn't have DMo playing solid, where would we be?

"Getting hurt" does not necessarily mean "season ending." He might miss a few games here and there. Rockets fans should know how important it is to have a good backup center. Now the Mavs gave up their front court depth for a back court defensive upgrade.

 

Cons of Rondo:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One NBA exec: &quot;Key is going to be whether that locker room in Dallas is strong enough. Doc, KG &amp; Pierce had trouble keeping him in check.&quot;</p>&mdash; Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/545723525127229441">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rondo's injury not only hurt his stock, it delayed talks. Moving him in final year of his deal made this difficult. Hard to get a lot back.</p>&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/545725586669600768">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SportVU?src=hash">#SportVU</a>, opponents have shot 53% w/ Rondo guarding them this season (50%) &amp; last (55%).</p>&mdash; John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnschuhmann/status/545722940768395264">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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There goes that "great defender" myth.

 

If you are Dallas, there is NO WAY you do NOT pull the trigger on this one, even if there is less than 50-50 chance of it making you better. Why?

Because they gave up very little! The picks arent that important to the Mavs. They need to contend now, while Dirk can still play.

They lost none of their starters. They lost Wright, who was a good backup big for them, but if that means you get Rondo, you DO it. Every single time.

Mavs biggest weakness was the PG and they address that weakness by giving up very little.

The biggest asset that Rondo brings to the Mavs team is what Kidd brought to them when the won the championship. Kidd distributed the ball and let the players do their thing. Rondo will be executing Carlisle plays now while Dirk , Ellis, Parsons, can come off screens, catch the ball, and make plays for themselves.

You could criticize the Mavs for making this trade if they had to break up their core, but they didnt!

As for the argument, "well if Chandler gets injured...."....

....that applies for EVERY team!! Weak argument to make yourself feel better.

Imagine the problem [insert team here] would be in if [insert contributing player here] got injured. If Chandler got injured, they werent going anywhere with Brandon Wright to begin with.

Excellent trade for the Mavs.

PS. A year ago, we were contemplating Parsons or Rondo. A year later, Mavs have BOTH while Rockets got nothing in return for Parsons. Just saying....

 

I am not sure there. Rajon has his deficiencies but he is a huge ASSET.

 

I think the Defense won't get much better but their offensive flow will

Many assists... I know Rondo got huge hands but one player can't change Team defense.

Inconsistency there

 

This was at the beginning of the year:

The Sacramento Kings discussed with the Boston Celtics a package of Isaiah Thomas, Ben McLemore and draft picks for Rajon Rondo, according to a source.

 

The biggest difference between Rondo and Kidd is that Kidd hit 3-pointers and could make free throws down the stretch in close games.

See my previous post about the importance of a backup center. If Chandler got hurt but not season ending, they could still contend IF they had a good backup center. Not so now.

Rondo also brings two BIG risks. (1) Chemistry. His problem relationships with teammates are well-documented. (2) Injuries. He missed a total of almost 100 games in the past two years. While this may not predict his future health, it has got to be a concern.

There is a reason why the Celtics got so little from trading Rondo. His stock has dropped a lot since his hayday about 5 years ago.

 

Trade helps Dallas, don't think it put them at true contenders.

 

Let's say you are correct on everything. You still do not say NO to that trade given Mavs hole at the PG spot.

Its a low risk-high reward move.