We need a Rondo!

by G Note on Dec 29, 2011 7:25 PM MST

We're rebuilding. We need a team that can bond and develop, just like OKC did three years ago. Players that aren't part of the plan for the future need to be moved, a team can't be half rebuilding, half 'contending.'

The Jazz are a PG-centric team, and one of the best young and (potentially) available PG's in Rajon Rondo. His superior play making would help our growing big men get easy buckets. His tenacious defence would limit the excessive drives we've been giving up this season.

So here's a potential trade on the ESPN trade machine:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=crkk9ck

Harris & Big Al for Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox. The terms of the trade could be adjusted to incorporate a 3rd team, but O'Neal and Wilcox are both big expiring contracts, which fits into our plans of clearing space to resign our young guns in the future.

To me, this seems a great trade. I like Big Al and Devin. But we aren't winning the playoffs with them and our current roster. Rondo is on a long term contract at reasonable money, and could be the young leader our team needs. So again, as a Jazz fan, I like this trade. You'd think Celtics fans would hate it? Well, from what I've seen, many fans expect Rondo to be moved sometime soon - they don't see him in their future.

This little yahoo answers post contains a few Boston fans discussing a similar trade: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111130215739AAzYAtR

They actually think it's the Jazz who wouldn't want to make the deal! I don't know about you guys, but if I was KOC I'd jump at a deal like this. A pass-first, defensive minded PG like Rondo would be an amazing fit for the Jazz, and IMO would more than make up for the offense we'd lose from Big Al. Plus Rondo is a quiet, mature guy who seemingly wouldn't mind playing in Utah.

Thoughts? Any chance of this ever happening?

All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.

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I was shocked to see Celts fans liked that trade and thought Utah would never do it

I would think it’s the other way around. I couldn’t fathom the Celts going for it. But who knows.

I would trade Harris/Al for Rondo/O’Neal so fast my socks would light on fire. Provided we can put it in Jermaine’s contract somewhere that he is not allowed to ever play. I’d be a little afraid of Ty getting all giddy to play another washed up vet 35 minutes per game.

I got the crap beat out of me in Provo one time

by Yucca Man on Dec 29, 2011 10:04 PM MST reply actions

Harris and Al don't play well together

I’m shocked that any Celtics fan would want this done. As a Jazz fan, yes, I’d love to see it happen. A point guard who can manage a game and play defense? Yes please. You should post this over on the sbnation Celtics blog and see how they react. I just can’t see any of them really going for this…

Utah>*

by Bebop on Dec 30, 2011 4:36 AM MST reply actions

This would be a great trade for the Jazz.

But I think the Celts FO likes Rondo, despite public perception.

I am in no way affiliated with the blog of the same name.

by JazzHype on Dec 30, 2011 8:56 AM MST reply actions

If the Jazz are serious about building a contender, then this is the move.

The Jazz need a leader. Rondo provides that.
The Jazz need to move Jefferson for his black hole-ness, lack of D and to make room for the kids.
The Jazz need an upgrade at PG. Harris isn’t a distributor and doesn’t seem to be part of our long term plans. He’s also 28 while Rondo is 25 (young enough to be part of our long term core).
We’d be a little thin at center, but Kanter has shown he’s an NBA talent, plus it give Favors more minuets. O’Neal would be our 3rd string center until his contract expires.

by socaljazzfan on Dec 30, 2011 9:06 AM MST reply actions

Agree

and if we can pull this off right before the trade deadline, we’d still probably finish with a bad enough record to get us a high pick and maybe grab one of the bigs in this draft (hopefully Drummond or Davis if we get a top three pick).

Utah>*

by Bebop on Dec 30, 2011 9:21 AM MST up reply actions

no....

Let’s get Mo Williams from LAC. He’ll cost less and score more.

I'll make it coach.

by MTN on Dec 30, 2011 10:41 AM MST reply actions

?

this has to be the third or fourth time I’ve seen you post saying we should get Mo Williams. Is that sarcasm or are you serious? If serious, I’d love to hear why you find Mo Williams so attractive.

by Kfunk on Jan 1, 2012 5:58 PM MST up reply actions

I think it's a good move

The Clips have a former all-star who is still relatively young as their 3rd string pg. I think we could get him without losing much, and I think he’d be an upgrade over the status quo. Nothing more elaborate than that.

Nobody’s biting though. :-)

I'll make it coach.

by MTN on Jan 2, 2012 5:06 PM MST up reply actions

We probably could have gotten him for Memo...

But I don’t see why the Clippers would do it for Harris. I think we might be able to do a three team trade that got them another solid SF or a backup Center.

by Kfunk on Jan 3, 2012 10:09 PM MST up reply actions

Absolutely love this idea...don't care how we do it!

I’m the mayor of Rondo-to-the-Jazz-ville and I love that this is getting some traction. I would buy a Rondo Jersey AT FULL PRICE the day that the trade went through and be happy to do it. I would also buy a bobble head and I would wear his headband for him every game since he would no longer be allowed to. Whether it’s this trade or some other configuration I would love KOC forever if we could move any two of our none-young players to make it happen. Depending on the combo I’d even throw in one of our draft picks.

by udowado on Dec 30, 2011 11:00 AM MST reply actions

Interestingly enough

CelticsBlog has a post about trading back for Al, seems like alot of their fans are pretty high on him. Unfortunately, no one has even thought of offering the deal you put up. Once my membership is active there, I’ll raise the possibility and see how they respond (unless someone is already active and can do it sooner).

Utah>*

by Bebop on Dec 30, 2011 12:18 PM MST reply actions

I pray that they'll not watch him at all this season

and only look at his stat lines.

"Shoot baskets, not people." -AK

by DWest on Dec 30, 2011 2:37 PM MST up reply actions

Rondo

Rondo would not be a leader on the Jazz he follows the leadership of Garnett, Allen and Pierce in Boston.

IMO he will get out of control in Utah.

If hes so great why would the Celtics let him go??

by RAnder3446 on Dec 31, 2011 9:26 AM MST reply actions

This trade would be very, very good

Make it happen, KOC!

Following the Lightning from Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Let's. Go. BOLTS!

by Rafael Amarante on Dec 31, 2011 12:31 PM MST reply actions

I like the idea

What if the jazz traded Harris, Al, & raja and the two first round picks for rondo, Allen, and oneal. The celtics upgrade at center and get a scoring guard plus they would have four first round picks. The jazz get a pass first pg who plays great D. Ray Allen is what Raja was supposed to be and more. He’s the veteran leader the jazz need. This would be a risky move because the Jazz would use up all of they’re assets to get it done and that’s if the Celtics would go for it.

by slayer666 on Dec 31, 2011 2:47 PM MST reply actions

Ray Allen is 36 years old and starred in the 1998 film "He Got Game".

He is not worth two first round picks.

by Wilder. on Jan 1, 2012 9:34 PM MST up reply actions

36 year old 10 time all star

who has been healthy the past 4 seasons and is averaging over 50% fg and 3pt. He can act too. What’s not to love.

by slayer666 on Jan 2, 2012 1:04 PM MST up reply actions

Personally, I like Ricky Rubio better,

but we all know that’s not gonna happen. So yeah, this trade would be great.

by JazzFanPhils on Jan 1, 2012 11:37 PM MST reply actions

I would LOVE this trade

but Boston would never go for it. If they are going to trade their only young talented player then it would have to put them over the top to win a ring this year. Lets face it, this is the last year they will be able to win it with the “big 3” as their primary players unless they add some serious depth to their roster.

So the question is, would Harris and Jefferson insure the Celtics win a title this year? Not a chance. They would never go for it. Now, if we somehow sent one or both of our first round draft picks to Boston, then we might have a chance.

So, would you trade both our first rounders and our Okur trade exception for Rondo? Think about that one…

by TurboJazz224 on Jan 2, 2012 11:45 AM MST reply actions

I agree

This trade isn’t really a “win now” move for the Celtics and it isn’t really a rebuilding move for them either. I think to get them to give up Rondo, we’d have to give them young talent and/ or draft picks. Honestly, I think both teams would end up being disappointed by this trade. It would kill Boston’s D, and we’d realize Rondo isn’t such a stud when he’s not surrounded by Hall of Famers. Statistically, he’s actually a below average passer when the Big 3 are on the bench. Plus he still can’t shoot and would kill our spacing.

by Caderade on Jan 2, 2012 11:57 AM MST up reply actions

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=78f8nrx

with sacremento problems with cousins i think he would actually be really good on the celtics

Follow me on Twitter @tangibleyogurt

by Evans Almighty on Jan 2, 2012 1:44 PM MST reply actions

Ha ha, nice.

I award you bonus points for finding a way to get Jimmer, even though I don’t particularly want him. I could see the Celtics doing this trade because it gives them a young big man to take over where Perkins left off, and gives them more of a scoring punch at the PG position. I can see the Jazz taking this deal in a heart beat, but I don’t see the Kings trading two young guys for Jefferson. If you leave out Jimmer they might consider it I think.

by TurboJazz224 on Jan 2, 2012 1:58 PM MST up reply actions