I could care less if it's only for two years. It either works and makes us contenders, or we are in prime position cap wise for 2015.
This is what some cynical posters do not understand. Cyberx is a reliable source, vouched by Clutch. He is only posting information that he knows to be true at the time he obtains the information, to-wit: that GMs are discussing possible trades (in this case, Rondo to Houston). That is a fact, if you believe him as I do. This is not to say the trade will actually happen. He is not saying that. We will only know that to absolutely true after the fact on Thursday.
Of course morey knows that, last thing morey is worrying about is if he's going to resign, contract up in 2015 "we remain flexible if rondo doesn't work out here" morey will decide if he even makes him an offer
Ric Bucher said in the video (under the video heading of "Rockets would welcome Rondo"): "James Harden, as good as he is, ideally you play him at the two and you have a bonafide one, which they really do not have at this point. There has been indications already that they're ready to move on Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin and I'm told that Boston would be willing to make that deal if they could get an unprotected first round pick included in it. That's the sticking point. For the Rockets to be able to land that is asking a lot. I'm going to say that, for now, Rondo stays in Boston." Seemed confusing. The Rockets have an unprotected first round pick. He must have meant a lottery pick. It's the first 1:10 of this video.
At this point, I'm convinced the Rockets are Boston's only trade partner if they want to move Rondo. Every non-contender, Rondo's going to say no to a handshake agreement on a max contract in 1.5 years. Every contender, except Houston, Miami, and Indiana, have a stud PG. Miami has nothing to offer and Indiana isn't paying Lance and Rondo max money together. Large market wise, the Lakers are saving up for Love, the Knicks have nothing, and the Nets still have DWill. Only the Rockets can offer good pieces and be nearly certain of a Rondo extension. Unless Ainge thinks keeping Rondo is viable, his options are limited.
Does Ainge not realize how much internet traffic Lin's arrival would generate for the hometown fan website(s)? That alone is enough to stand down on the 1st round pick demand.
Boston want an unprotected first from a crap team, not from the Rockets. Getting such a pick from a third (crap) team would be difficult. Is a lotto team going to give up a high pick for any HOU player other than Harden and Howard?
It is a viable option because his trade value will be at its highest this summer, or they want to keep him. However, the risk is this: it drops significantly once the season starts...and it will be lower one year from now if they're open to dealing him that that point.
To be quite honest, I don't really even know why its worth Bucher noting that there is a sticking point on "un-protection" unless the pick is for say 2018 or beyond. If the pick is unprotected this year well..... your banking on the Rockets having one mega collapse to finish out the season. (knock on wood). If they acquire Rondo they are going to be good, and the Rockets pick will probably be out of the lottery the next two or three years regardless.... not sure why Ainge would really be THAT overwhelmed with Morey wanting heavy protection on a pick just in case for the 1 % chance the Rockets collapse and they strike gold with a top 3 pick. Anyway you look at it, the Rockets draft picks will most likely be late 1st rounders which in that case, you might actually value something like a Bucks 2nd rounder as more valuable in the first place. If I had to guess, Id say the sticking point with Morey and Ainge would be the additional salary the Rockets would have to take along with Rondo which if you include Asik & Lin & maybe D-Mo/Brewer could mean the Rockets would have the ability to take back Wallace's albatross contract along with Rondo which IMO would mean WAAAAYYYY more to Ainge than a Rockets late 1st rounder in the next three years.
Yes, it seems most people didn't catch that. I don't see any way the rockets can maneuver into the lottery without giving up parsons, and even then I don't see it happening.
teams will be even less willing to give up valuable assets then if they feel rondo won't stick around long term. He's already said he's looking forward to free agency. Peak value is now imo.
But do we even want rondo, honestly I'm not even sure I'd trade Lin for rondo straight up no picks included. He's a terrible fit for this team. Can't shoot score, or play defense, which is really all we need in our pg
I disagree. Rondo's trade value starts dropping after the deadline. Because the odds are a team like the Rockets isn't going to be in the hunt for him come this summer....if they can pull other deals and move out Asik and Lin. So, Ainge runs the risk that the already limited trade market for Rondo becomes even more limited after the deadline. The time is now for Ainge to trade Rondo. I think he knows it.
