Celtics shop Rondo, Allen

[Habib]

The Boston Celtics appear willing to make major roster changes to balance a chance for a championship run and future financial flexibility.

The Celtics offered Ray Allen(notes) and Rajon Rondo(notes) to the Detroit Pistons for a package that included Richard Hamilton(notes), Tayshaun Prince(notes) and Rodney Stuckey(notes), league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge and Detroit’s Joe Dumars never spoke, but rather the Celtics had a lower-level executive make the pitch to a Pistons official over the past weekend, league sources said. Detroit immediately rejected the idea, and it never advanced to the two top executives speaking about particulars.

This isn’t an uncommon occurrence for a GM like Ainge to dispatch an underling to make that kind of a call, if for no other reason to give the top executive some level of deniability that he’s shopping his stars.

This isn’t the first time that Allen, a six-time All-Star, has been mentioned in trade talks this summer. Allen, who will soon turn 34, has an expiring contract of nearly $20 million, for next season. Rondo, 24, a rapidly developing point guard, has been publically termed off-limits by Ainge in trade discussion this summer. Nevertheless, his name found a way into this conversation. Rondo averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, and had three triple-doubles in the Celtics’ playoff run this season.

Boston is unlikely to re-sign Allen to a long-term extension next summer, and there is belief around the league that the Celtics have hesitancy about committing a long-term, expensive contract to Rondo.

There has been some friction with Rondo, largely based on maturity. No issues with him are insurmountable, but Ainge has never minded shopping ideas around the league. Nevertheless, it’s hard to imagine a deal that Boston could do with these two players that would give them a chance to stay a championship contender around Kevin Garnett(notes) and Paul Pierce(notes).

For the Pistons, this deal makes little sense, unless they wanted to let Allen’s expiring deal gain even more salary cap space for the free-agent class of 2010. The idea of trading his three best returners for an expiring contract and one good young player wasn’t worth considering for Dumars, sources said.

Source:

Code: Select all

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AmmH.9rJDF.tH5cJvXsdx0S8vLYF?slug=aw-celticspistons062209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[darklighter1]

Yeah they were talking about it on the radio all day today around here...I think Ainge is floating alot of stuff around the LEague to clear up space to go after LeBron or even Bosh and DWade. Aige had a conference with the media saying this trade and rumors of other trades to move up in the draft are lucicrous but he does like to be daring so who knows?

[Habib]

LoL no way in hell that LeBron or Wade will go to Boston Celtics, I don't know about Chris Bosh though. But Ainge can keep dreaming. I don't know what he was trying to do with that deal anyway, it's not even a fair trade.

[trashtalkr]

There isn't any problem with just talking to other teams about what options are out there. I definitely don't blame Detroit for rejecting that trade - it was insanely unfair.

What do you all think about Richard Jefferson to the Spurs? I think it immediately makes the Spurs the top team in the West.

Also having Minnesota sending Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington is significant

[AYHJA]

The Spurs the top team in the west just adding RJeff..? No way man...He's a good scorer, sure, but nah...They may get past the first round, but any health issues will put them back where they started...

The C's better be trying to get younger, I'd shop Ray, but Rondo is a year or so away from being a top guard...D-Wade may leave Miami, but even that's in doubt...He's got a championship already, unless they offer him a substantial increase in salary and a chance to win multiple championships, they can forget him leaving Miami...LeBron, its hard to say, but Bosh is almost sure to land in Detroit...

[Habib]

The addition of Richard Jefferson to the Spurs doesn't even make them as good as the Mavs or the Nuggets. Spurs are far from being the top team in the West.

[darklighter1]

Why wouldn't Lebron go to the Celtics? Everyone assumes he's going to New York. Why would you leave a better team to go to a lesser team just cause it's in New York...for marketing? He doesn't already have every deal available out there as it is? It would be a foolish move especially if he really wants to win a Championship, his best shots for that is staying in Cleveland and hoping they find him the missing piece or going over to Boston and joining KG and the Truth. Not to mention joining the most historic team in the NBA.

I like the Jefferson trade, I think it makes them the favorite in the West too. Didn't have to give up much to get him either.

[Habib]

I say LeBron won't go to the Celtics because of I believe he's a kind of guy that wouldn't want to play alongside 2 all stars and future hall of famers. I see LeBron as someone who'll go to a team where it will actually be called "his team." If LeBron were to go to the Celtics it would be KGs team and he and Pierce will get all the credit for any championship I believe.

The rumors that he will go to NY though isn't because of marketing. I think he, Wade, and Chris Bosh are planning to play together, because they all become free agents at the same time.

With this Richard Jefferson trade — assuming, of course, that Tim Duncan's knees and Manu Ginobili's ankle will hold up for the duration of next season — the Spurs have suddenly become the Western Conference's second-best team (AT THE MOST). It was a really lopsided trade though. The only way they will be the top in the west is if Duncan and Ginobili can stay healthy.

[trashtalkr]

You all are crazy if you think the Jefferson trade doesn't make the Spurs the best in the West! You've got a lineup of Duncan, Jefferson, Parker, and Ginobili, plus any old chump you want to throw out there. Jefferson is the only player other than Kobe to average 20pts a game while playing in every game. That's significant for the points and the health. Sure, Ginobili has health concerns, but you still have a power team without him.

LeBron is NY is because of marketing and exposure. He's said that he wants to be the first billion dollar athlete and he'll have a better chance of doing that in NY. Unless they take significant pay decreases, there is no way NY can sign LeBron, Wade, and Bosh and still stay under the salary cap. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out...

[Habib]

trashtalkr, did you forget that the Lakers are a team in the west? Well, you've got a lineup of Bryant, Gasol, Fisher, Ariza, and Bynum -- now that lineup is superior to the new Spurs starting lineup. Oh, and don't forget there is also Lamar Odom, which will be a matchup problem coming off the bench. You also forgot that a team isn't all about the starting lineup -- it's also about the bench. The starters cannot play 48 minutes every day, which is why the Lakers are the deepest team in the league.
Also, the Jefferson trade to Spurs also means that the Spurs are SERIOUSLY lacking big bodies on the team. So how can they be the best team in the west if the Lakers are in the west? No way in hell.

And about LeBron being the first "billion dollar athlete," now that's just ridiculous if he thinks so. No way in hell is any athlete going to be worth a billion dollars before Tiger Woods. I mean, among athletes, the differential in wealth between #1 (Tiger Woods) and #2 is SOOOOOOO huge.
I don't see LeBron going to NY if at least one of CB4 or Wade doesn't go there. I mean, if he does that, it would be the same thing as being in Cleveland, and that doesn't guarantee him a championship. There would be no reason for him to leave the city he grew up in just for marketing and exposure, and when he's not guaranteed a championship.