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Jazz-Celtics trade idea

Chris

Chris

Well-Known Member
Hey guys. Living near Boston and being acutely aware of the ways in which the Celtics are deficient at the moment makes me think that they could be an excellent trading partner for the Jazz for various reasons. As we all know, the Celtics are trying to acquire Chris Paul, but it appears as though he's not willing to extend his contract with any team but the Knicks. Is this (as it should be) a deal-breaker for Danny Ainge? I guess we'll find out at midnight tonight or in the coming days. What the Celtics really need most right now, to make one (or perhaps two) more Championship runs is a legitimate big man who can replace some of what the team lost in the Perkins deal at the trade deadline last season.

The Jazz need a decent point guard -- a good passer and defender...someone who can run with a young team like the Jazz are right now. They also need a small forward. Here's what I'm proposing:

Jazz get: Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green
Celtics get: Al Jefferson and Devin Harris

This alleviates the need to get rid of one of the bevy of big men that we currently have on our roster and gets fan-favorite Paul Millsap significant minutes at the 4. The addition of Rondo could be a great one -- I've been a big fan of everything he's done in Boston. He's a great player who LOVES to distribute the ball. Early last season he was in John Stockton Beast Mode and was averaging like 14 dimes a night. Nuts! I also like the fact that he's signed at $10 mil/yr for the next four years. Even if he bolts after that, we will have gotten a teriffic young player (yet who has loads of playoff experience) in the prime of his career.

The addition of Jeff Green (though I think he's largely been a flop for the Cs) could provide a decent all-around basketball player to split minutes at the 3 with CJ, Jeremy and the occasional Paul. I don't know his contract situation, but this could be resolved easily enough. If he was willing to play in OKC, then he'll be fine with Utah.

Though I do like Al Jefferson (and don't think he's as awful as many posters on here seem to think he is), he is a perfect fit for the very same team that was high enough on him to draft him out of high school back in the day. I know when the Kevin Garnett trade was being discussed, Ainge tried like the Dickens to keep him and get rid of anyone but him, but that was a non-starter for Kevin McHale. Al had to be the centerpiece of the deal in order for the Wolves to even consider letting go of KG.

Getting rid of Rondo will mean that the Celtics will need to replace him with a decent-caliber point guard and I believe Devin Harris fits the bill. The Celtics would do this trade from the contract standpoint because both Jefferson and Harris are signed for this season and next, which is just about how long the window could stay open for the Big 3 in Boston. After next season, the Celtics could just let pretty much everyone walk and start over fresh -- and rebuild.

From a logistical standpoint, I believe they'd have to play with the numbers/included lesser players somewhat to make it work. The Celtics would be taking on $25 million for two years and the Jazz would be taking on $10 million for Rondo and whatever for Jeff Green (no way it's $15 mil like it would have to be in my proposal). Aside from that, I think this trade works for both teams.

Reflecting on this aspect, it amazes me that Devin Harris and Rondo make roughly the same amount of money. By the way, even though we're likely going to have a rough season, I am pumped to watch the 14 nationally televised Jazz games that I'll be able to see. It'll be fun to see what moves KOC makes in the coming weeks.
 
I actually don't hate this idea. It is better than the other Rondo threads because the guy getting traded is the biggest contract.

Big Al is a good player, but with a big salary. By the time the Jazz are getting to the real window of opportunity he is gone anyway.
Ronda would be a good PG, and it opens playing time for the younger guys.

It is the right kind of move for a rebuilding team.
 
That is a fantastic idea, but I don't think that Boston would do it at this point. They have a pretty thin front line, but if they don't retain Big Baby, it's going to get very thin. I think we may have to throw in a pick of our own, or the GS pick for Boston to jump. I think Rondo has more value than Jefferson, Green has more value than Harris. I believe we'd need to sweeten the pot for them to even begin to think about that trade.
 
IBProfane said:
That is a fantastic idea, but I don't think that Boston would do it at this point. They have a pretty thin front line, but if they don't retain Big Baby, it's going to get very thin. I think we may have to throw in a pick of our own, or the GS pick for Boston to jump. I think Rondo has more value than Jefferson, Green has more value than Harris. I believe we'd need to sweeten the pot for them to even begin to think about that trade.
Click to expand...

After watching Green's most recent play, I'd rather have a 2nd round pick than him...
 
Yeah I definitely think that the Cs would do it, with some modifications. As you might imagine, I follow the Celtics very closely, as they're my second favorite team. For some reason, the local buzz has been for some time that the Cs just aren't totally happy with him. It's been a love-dislike (I won't say hate -- it's not that bad) relationship for the past few years.

And the reason I mention Jeff Green is because I've heard he's being offered as part of that package to New Orleans for Chris Paul. I'm just saying, from their perspective, they will be getting much more in return than they'll be giving up. And what's more, Ainge knows the window is closing and is desperate to make a move/moves if he thinks it'll get this city another ring with the Big 3. Expectations in this town have been quite high for the last decade.
 
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