The time is right to trade Rondo

[campybatman]

Personally, I'm not looking at Wade's addition from a chemistry standpoint. I meant from a financial standpoint. And it wouldn't be so much about Wade and Pierce as it would be Wade and Garnett. I think Pierce would defer his offense to Wade with him being the younger player. Besides, less exertion could prolong Pierce's career. Ainge still must resolve Pierce's contract situation. Otherwise, you've Pierce for only one or two more seasons. He can exercise an option after next season.

But, then why are we talking about Wade? Who really believes he'll leave Miami or leave there to sign with Boston? I'm not holding my breathe. Wade remains in Miami or signs someplace where he'll maintain his status as the go-to guy. In Boston, it's still Pierce's team with Garnett being the other most popular star. Preferably, I would rather sign Rondo longterm knowing what you've in him at his position. Pierce is unlikely going anywhere and you leave it up to Ainge to decide the futures of Ray, Davis and Powe. The other holes (namely a back-up point guard) will probably work themselves out in the off-season. I think Ainge will be focused even more this off-season with the hiccups that were Marbury and Moore. He'll have more time to think and be patient during the off-season. I think he'd painted himself into a corner with the Moore signing. He likely knew J. Smith was an unrealistic option given Smith already familiarity with Cleveland. With Marbury, it was simply a matter of him waiting until the last minute to resolve his situation with New York. Had it been resolved in December or January. Marbury would've at least had more time to get the hang of things and mesh with teammates. The little time he'd with Boston was like his training camp and pre-season. He wasn't in NBA shape.

[15th overall]

I was there for the original Big 3. They were great for the franchise through 1986. Care to talk about the organization's decision to stand pat with the Big 3 after 1986?

Interesting that you bring this up since Ainge has openly criticized the team's decision to keep those 3 together for so long instead of making a move to get some younger players to extend the life of the dynasty. So going by that logic I can't see Ainge being on board with trading his only top tier young'n for a guy who has taken as much abuse as Wade has. Particularly with KG's health being an unknown.

Also, like others have already pointed out, this Big Al-KG comparison is pretty flawed. One thing I don't think has been brought up is that both Seattle and Minnesota were gunning for Rondo to be included in those trades and in both cases Danny took Rondo off the table.

DA has been looking to find a PG to run the fastbreak since he got here. He drafted Marcus Banks, he traded the #6 pick for Sebastian Telfair, he was close to landing Baron Davis and he had a deal in place to land Chris Paul until Pierce rescinded his trade request. PG is clearly a priority for Ainge.

I think Pete summed it up well....

It's just very rare in the NBA to trade players who are both playing great and perfectly fit what you are trying to do. I'd rate Rondo's chances of being traded lower then any of the big 3.. We been looking for a PG since Sherm Douglas..

[JR Hawks]

Wow, the board really seems to have changed their mind on trading Rondo. Probably has something to do with the reality that Ainge is willing to move him.

[recruiter]

Not entirely.

The idea that a guy who can't shoot, hit foul shots or play on either end with any degree of consistency is somehow worth eight digits is nonsense.

NO way I pay Rondo that kind of money, given the current state of his game. Given his spotty work ethic, if you overpay him for potential, you won't get an ounce more than you're getting now, and that's a game full of holes.

He's welcome to try to find eight digits elsewhere, as far as I'm concerned.

[Barry Lird]

Hey recruiter, are you still as down on Ainge as you were a couple of years ago on this board? Seems like you and Malle and Puba used to really have at him back in the day.