In recent days, reports have surfaced about Rajon Rondo, the four time All Star point guard of the Boston Celtics, reportedly “wanting out”. While those reports were shot down by many in both the Rondo and Celtics camp, these reports are not exactly new. Ever since the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets, many have speculated where Rondo could end up.
Another name that has been mentioned in trade talks is small forward Jeff Green. With the offensive ability to help a contender in the playoffs, and a contract that he could opt out of after a year, many teams could use a player like him. In light of the speculation going on with these two, here are some possible trades that I think could possibly work.
Trade Idea #1:
Charlotte Hornets get: PG Rajon Rondo and a 2015 2nd round pick (Indiana)
Boston Celtics get: PG Kemba Walker, SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, C Roy Hibbert and a 2016 1st round pick (Charlotte)
Indiana Pacers get: SF Jeff Green and SF Jeff Taylor and a 2015 2nd round pick (Boston via Miami)
Reasoning: The Charlotte Hornets made the playoffs led by Al Jefferson. Now, that they have signed Lance Stephenson, trading for Rondo would upgrade their point guard role and look to be a serious threat in the East. Rondo could also want to stay long term with a team like that.
For the Indiana Pacers, they do not give up on a season that could have been lost when Paul George went down, and acquire as good of a small forward as there is out there right now to trade for. For the Boston Celtics, they get the true center they want in Roy Hibbert (and take the Pacers issue off of their hands), as well as a young talent in Kidd-Gilchrist and Walker. It would also be good for Kemba Walker to be back in New England for the first time since he left UConn. They would also stockpile another draft pick to their growing collection.
Trade Idea #2:
Boston Celtics get: SF DeMarre Carroll and PG Dennis Schroder
Atlanta Hawks get: SF Jeff Green
Reasoning: The Atlanta Hawks need to upgrade their small forward position and Jeff Green could do it. In return, they would give up the expiring contract of DeMarre Carroll and a young point guard in Dennis Schroder, who could be a nice compliment to a guy like Marcus Smart should Rondo be traded as well. Green will not command as much as Rondo by any means but this could be good for both teams as Carroll has showed some real growth in his five-year NBA career. The Hawks could have a very nice lineup that would look like: Jeff Teague-Kyle Korver-Jeff Green-Paul Millsap-Al Horford.
Trade Idea #3:
Detroit Pistons get: PG Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics get: PG Brandon Jennings, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2015 1st round pick
Reasoning: For the Detroit Pistons, getting a solid facilitator for their young talent is a must if they want to make the playoffs. A starting lineup of Rondo, Jodie Meeks, Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond is surely capable of a postseason run. The Pistons already have strong backups for Rondo under contract right now (DJ Augustin and Will Bynum). For the Boston Celtics, you get a player in Brandon Jennings who would likely finish his two years in Boston before moving on and totally passing the torch to Marcus Smart. You also get a chance to develop a young shooter in Caldwell-Pope. The Celtics lack three point shooting and will lose even more once the Marcus Thornton contract expires/is traded.
Trade Idea #4:
New York Knicks get: PG Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics get: PG Shane Larkin, SG Iman Shumpert, SG Archie Goodwin, a 2015 1st round pick and 2018 2nd round pick
Phoenix Suns get: C Andrea Bargnani
Reasoning: Phil Jackson would like to make a splash and this could certainly be it. By teaming Rajon Rondo with Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks could really make some noise in the weak Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Knicks have deep pockets and could be willing to give Rondo a lot of money after this year.
For the Boston Celtics, they get a lot of young talent in Shane Larkin, Iman Shumpert (whose contract is expiring) and Archie Goodwin. Adding another top pick further strengthens the odds for another blockbuster courtesy of Danny Ainge. For the Phoenix Suns, they take on a big expiring contract in Andrea Bargnani, who can audition for the future center role and still fill a big need. They have the cap room to take a chance on Bargnani and only have to give up a backup guard to do it.
There are certainly plenty more options when it comes to Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo and they could be valued more or less in some teams eyes. However, these trades could make some sense for the teams involved, and we may see one of these go down. Who knows?
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