RealGM

Most NBA teams can have up to 3 players making somewhere around $10-18 million per year. These players are the driving force of your team and you have to believe they can lead you to a championship. The Celtics presently have Pierce, KG & Ray Allen as their major core players.

I believe the question the Celtics are facing right now is can Rondo be one of those 3 players going forward and lead you to a championship? Is not paying Rondo the money and saving it for someone like Bosh, Wade etc. a better way to go forward?

I think the Celtics are going to end up trading Rondo before or during the draft because they don't believe he is capable of being one of three core players making $10-18 million a year and leading young guys to the promise land after Pierce, KG & Ray are gone.

I hope I am wrong because I wouldn't trade Rondo but I believe the Celtics will this off-season.

I just wondering what other people are thinking.

I just have a strong feeling we are going to because of money.

Are there actually any of next years big Free Agents who have given even the slightest indication they'd come to Boston? James and Bosh are linked to NY, Wade to Chicago as examples. I haven't heard anything to suggest they have any interest in Boston. If the Celtics move Rondo, they could easily find themselves next year with just 2 top players (even if they resign him, frankly I think Ray Allen is marginal as a top player now, and another years mileage isn't going to improve him). Unless they move him for someone else they think is better suited to be in the Top 3 next year, it's a possible recipe for disaster moving him.

Although Rondos contract may be a concern next year, he has the absolute optimal contract right now. End of his entry level, playing at a high level, and playing for his next contract. His current contract is utterly perfect for the Celtics to have a Big 3 plus a Big 3 wanna be.

I could see Rondo being moved, but I don't think he will be.

Dave_From_NB says he thinks Ray Allen is a marginal All-Star level player. I think the crazier thing (and the one people are in denial about) is that Paul Pierce is right there as far as being marginal. Did you see him in the playoffs this year, it was painful to watch.

This is why Danny Ainge is such a great GM. He's going to do whats best for the team, not what's best for these players that make millions of dollars. Kudos to him. Get some new fresh talent in here that's gonna carry us for many more years.

IN DANNY I TRUST!!!!!!!!!!!

Celtics>Breathing wrote:Dave_From_NB says he thinks Ray Allen is a marginal All-Star level player. I think the crazier thing (and the one people are in denial about) is that Paul Pierce is right there as far as being marginal. Did you see him in the playoffs this year, it was painful to watch.

This is why Danny Ainge is such a great GM. He's going to do whats best for the team, not what's best for these players that make millions of dollars. Kudos to him. Get some new fresh talent in here that's gonna carry us for many more years.

IN DANNY I TRUST!!!!!!!!!!!

yeah I agree. I wasnt exactly in awe of Pauls postseason. At least Ray had his moments in the Chicago series.(and there were quite a few of em)

Knock, knock.

Maybe, just maybe, Pierce struggled in the playoffs because that guy you all seem to trust decided that the Captain didn't need competent help behind him off the bench.

Tell me again. Just who was the wing that we could bring off the bench to spell Pierce, hit some 3s and defend?

The name is James Posey, and that guy you all seem to trust decided that:

A. We didn't need him,

and

B. We didn't to replace him.

Ainge was wrong on both counts. Fail, Danny.

So far the poll is about 50-50, about what I expected. Probably the same 50-50 in real life also.

Let's see what theoritical Rondo deals do exist. If the three way with Memphis and Phoenix is possible that's probably the best thing the C's can do.

It would be something like this:
Grizzlies Get: Perkins, 14th pick, Bill Walker
Give: 2 pick

Suns Get: Rondo, Ray Allen
Give: STAT, Barbosa, 14th pick

C's Get: STAT, 2nd pick, Barbosa
Give: Perkins, Rondo, Allen

Boston could hope for 2 things after this deal. Either Ray Allen gets bought out, which he very well may since Phoenix will look to continually save money, or pick up a capable starting 2 via free agency or by dealing T. Allen and Scal.

Still a lineup of Rubio/Barbosa/Pierce/KG/STAT is beyond absurd and should open up the window of opportunity many more years.

" C's Get: STAT, 2nd pick, Barbosa
Give: Perkins, Rondo, Allen "

As much as I like Rondo, you can't pass on that trade.

Ummm, I doubt it. I don't think there is anything wrong or unusual about wanting to maximize one's earnings, especially in the NBA. I highly doubt that Rondo's alleged contract demands are a huge shock to the Celtics front office. Rondo has every right to seek the highest bidder for his services. Moving him still does not allow us to sign anyone for max money next year from what I understand.

I guess moving him now seems foolish if he's going to be restricted next year. If Phoenix is moving Shaq, I would think that Amare would be a piece they want to keep. Otherwise, just move Nash and start a total rebuild. I just don't think Amare is available at this time..

You C's fans are all nuts. Youve got a championship team here next year if KG stays healthy. Why would you worry about 2 or 5 years down the line? Keep this roster intact and beat the living **** out of the lakers in 2010.

or 3, not at all.

Sid the Squid wrote:You C's fans are all nuts. Youve got a championship team here next year if KG stays healthy. Why would you worry about 2 or 5 years down the line? Keep this roster intact and beat the living **** out of the lakers in 2010.

That's what I say but the GM might have different ideas.

I'd really hate to see Rondo go but at the same time if Danny can somehow finesse a deal to where he's getting a top 4 pick AND Amare plus role player filler... I don't know that's a lot of value to go get on a package surrounding Rondo. You have to at least strongly consider a trade of Perkins, Ray, and Rondo for something like Amare, Barboza and the #2...