Fictional Trade of the Day: Getting Rid of Rondo

If you've been living under a rock, you know that Rajon Rondo is a nutjob. An extremely talented point guard, yes, but also mentally unstable. As Boston has taken offers for trades involving him, he's become even more crazy. His most recent incident? He's suspended two games for throwing the ball at a referee. It's time for Boston to move him. Take a look at a few options, and keep in mind that all trades at this point in the season also have expiring contract/free agency implications: 

Phoenix Suns

Boston receives: PG Steve Nash & C Marcin Gortat

Phoenix receives: PG Rajon Rondo & C Jermaine O'Neal

For Boston, they get rid of the psycho and can start a lineup of four of the oldest, best players in the NBA: Nash, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Nash's deal expires at the end of this season, when they'll be faced with a tough choice: sign all the old guys for a couple more years or let them go and go after free agents? If they let Nash, Allen, Garnett, and all the other expiring deals go, they'd theoretically have $50.6 million opening up. If you read the post yesterday, you know that there are a ton of free agents, and Boston isn't a bad destination for a player to end up. They could go for anyone besides a center because they would be left without any starters besides Brandon Bass and Gortat. 

For Phoenix, they get something in exchange for Steve Nash (who is undoubtedly leaving the desert after this season) and send him to a team that is full of veterans and will allow him to become a free agent this summer. Moving forward with Rondo, Josh Childress, Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, Hakim Warrick, Robin Lopez, and Markieff Morris isn't necessarily an ideal situation, but it's better than doing it with Gortat instead of Rondo. 

Orlando Magic

Boston receives: C Dwight Howard & SG JJ Redick

Orlando receives: PG Rajon Rondo, SG Ray Allen, C Jermaine O'Neal

I've posted this before, so I won't say much. But I think it benefits everyone involved except the two expiring deals going to Orlando (who are retiring in like three months anyway so who cares?). 

Atlanta Hawks

Boston receives: PG Jeff Teague & PF Josh Smith

Atlanta receives: PG Rajon Rondo & PF Brandon Bass

Simply put, this is an All-Star point guard and a starting power forward being swapped for an All-Star power forward and a starting point guard. Also, in both cases, the All-Star is a little bit of a loose cannon. There isn't a whole lot more to say about this trade other than, "Who says no?"

Los Angeles Lakers

Boston receives: C Andrew Bynum & G Andrew Goudelock

Los Angeles receives: PG Rajon Rondo & C Jermaine O'Neal

Two more headcases involved here in Rondo and Bynum. 

For the Lakers, this opens up more shots for Kobe and Pau Gasol and also gives them a legitimate point guard - offense to Derek Fisher. And to be honest, I'm fine if you swap Pau Gasol in for Andrew Bynum. It also cuts their cap down by about $5 million once O'Neal's deal expires - which doesn't seem like a lot when you keep in mind that they are currently $30 million over the cap. But hey, $5 million is $5 million. 

For the Celtics, it gives them Allen and Garnett's expiring contracts to get a point guard and a shooting guard to play with Paul Pierce, Bass, and Bynum. Deron Williams and Nick Young, perhaps? Just throwing it out there. 

Indiana Pacers

Boston receives: SG/SF Danny Granger

Indiana receives: PG Rajon Rondo

I also posted this one yesterday, but I'll throw it in here because it involves Rondo and that's the theme. This is predicated on the notion that Boston is confident enough in Avery Bradley to be their point guard of the future - or that they'll draft said point guard in the offseason. 

So there, Celtics management. You have some options on how to get rid of your headcase point guard. Personally, I'd like to see the Orlando trade happen and the Magic re-sign Ryan Anderson, target a shooting guard in the draft, and sign a center in free agency.