Boston is stupid if they think Rondo is the problem. The problem is the aging big three. Replace Ray Allen, Pierce, or KG with a more explosive scorer and their problems will be solved.
I dont think Rondo would be as effective as he is if he went to another team... He has been made in Boston.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/11/29/chris.paul.celtics/index.html Interesting. Rondo for CP3?
The Rondo-Paul rumor is interesting to me. I know that the NBA will be very hesistent to trade Paul, but the Celtics got some interesting pieces to work with. Rondo, Jeff Green, the Clippers 2012 first (top-10 protected) & their own first rounder. They also could add enough expirings & fillers to take back Okafor's big contract. The NBA knows as well as we do that Chris Paul will boot sooner or later and the Celtics just might be the team that will (be able to) offer them the most. Do you wait and hope to get something better down the line or do you jump at the opportunity like the Jazz with the Nets?
If CP3 can't land in Houston, Boston would be the best alternative for me. He doesn't go to NY while enhancing our picks???, gets him out of the West and helps Boston defeat Miami if they do meet. CP3/Allen/Pierce/KG/O'Neal would be one hell of a squad.
Jeff Green is a rfa. And Okafor might have a big contract, but it isn't a poison contract in an NBA with a lack of quality bigs. Have you seen Boston's centers? fake edit: wow, espn finally added contract values to their rosters. When did that happen? (Well, at least they added for the upcoming year.)
SamAmicoFSO Sam Amico Honestly, if I'm the Celtics, I'd think long and hard about trading Rondo anywhere and for anyone. He's tough, talented & a team-first guy.
I think Rondo-Paul makes the most sense, if this blows up in NO face because they want more adn are not taking this, they risk losing a lot more. They get a young point guard who can change the landscape in Rondo, you can't ask for much more since they don't have much leverage if paul doesn't sign that contract. For boston i thnk this is a great deal if they can get the extension as well. This will be an interesting rivalry because years ago Rondo and Paul exchanged words where Paul said along the lines of anyone could win a title playing with those 3 when rondo said paul had no rings. As for Rondo-Thunder, while still good, I don't think its a good fit. I like paul better here for the thunder or even westbrook because they need a potential 20pg+ 2nd scorer guy who can really take pressure and attention off of Durant and I think Harden is a good 3rd scorer, not 2nd. Their bigs are not scorers at all and neither is Rondo so I don't think it is the best fit. Also not a great fit for Boston in westbrook
I was thinking possibly sign&trade with Jeff Green. Okafor has value on the right team, but not for the Hornets, if they were to trade Chris Paul, I don't think.
Ainge's attempt to draw in Paul with Rondo as bait is simply his attempt to pre-empt Morey's offer of Lowry, etc. for Paul. You can bet your bottom dollar that Ainge would take on Okafor's deal and send New Orleans Rondo, some junk, and a pick or two to get Paul and team him with the big 3. Not to mention Okafor would fit ideally in the middle alongside Garnett as the replacement for Kendrick. The trade makes sense and what it does is up the leverage that New Orleans has when dealing with other teams. If anybody trades for Paul midseason, they are going to have to take on Okafor's contract or involve another team that would take on Okafor's contract. This could get very hairy, especially with Orlando on the cusp of losing Dwight. The question is....do we have enough assets to bring in both Paul and Howard, if indeed they can be traded for, and top all other offers? And the question is also, is Paul really that much better than Lowry that it would be worth gutting our team to team him and Howard together? I just don't know. Obviously, if we still had Lee, Morris, and Patterson to play the 2,3,4 then it might be a good thing, although our depth goes in the crapper. I think it's more likely we are stuck with Scola (not a bad thing) TWill, and Chase, to surround Paul and Howard with the two trades costing us most all our young talent including Lee and Patterson.
jopatmc, first of all trade value wise, Rondo > Lowry. Second, why would the Hornets trade CP3 to a division rival? That was one of the main reasons the Jazz didn't trade Deron to Houston so they can keep him out of the West.
The answer is simple. If they can get a substantially better rebuilding deal, they'll strongly consider trading him to a team in their division. Of course, if the deals are relatively equivalent, then they'll trade him out of the Conference. Rondo may appear to be better trade value....until you consider their salaries. Lowry allows New Orleans to have a top-notch starting point guard (top 10 point guard in the NBA) and it also gives them lots of salary cap space to save and the possibilities of adding a lot more youth. Look at Paul's salary, Rondo's salary, and then Lowry's salary. Lowry is an extreme bargain, friend.
Think about it like this. What would Lowry look like dishing to the Big 3 in Boston? As good as he looks here, he'd be even better there, and he'd be hitting his free throws too, in bunches, something Rondo can only dream of.
ZachLowe_SI Zach Lowe Would love to have heard Sam Presti's response when presented with Rondo/Green for Westbrook/Perkins.
RicBucher Ric Bucher From what I've heard: Celtics might want to deal Rondo for CP3, but Hornets are not doing that deal. Have better offers if it comes to that.
holey sh!tf@#@R$@ me this thread has turned into a rondo-scrutinising thread in no time. you guys clearly do not know what you are talking about when all you can say about him is his "lack of mid range jumper" THIS GUY IS JUST ONLY THE 2ND BEST POINT GUARD IN THE NBA.
wow at the people asking if paul over lowry is that big of an upgrade and he is a top 10 pg. Ok, Lowry is good, he is a stud and a solid pg option in this league, that said Paul is a superstar who changes the entire landscape of a league. Wow, you can only find that logic here at home. As for those criticizing the celtics, I dont think they believe rondo is the proble, but they know he has the most value. The other big 3 you can't possible get equal return on because they have no upside which diminishes their trade value, rondo(a star) for paul(superstar) is just basketball thinking in being able to ugprade
