Rondo On The Trade Block?

The NBA rumor mill is sending out signals that the Celtics are on the verge of trading All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics would reportedly receive at least one first round draft pick from the Mavericks as well as athletic power forward Brandan Wright.  Other players would have to be involved to make a deal work under the salary cap.

The Knicks, Lakers, Rockets, and Kings have all been mentioned as having interest in trading for Rondo in addition to the Mavericks.

If a deal for Rondo, a free agent to be after the season, is made than expect the Celtics to look to move Jeff Green and Brandon Bass as well, starting a massive rebuilding project on Causeway Street.

While I understand the Celtics thought process of bottoming out in the hope of acquiring star players through the draft, I don't agree with it.  A massive rebuilding process is a gamble and it's a gamble that has failed the Celtics in the past.

The best way to build a championship contender is to build around Rondo.  Give him a fat new contract, draft and develop players selected in the middle of the first round, and then use a few of those players to trade for another established superstar to play with Rondo.

Dealing Rondo for a few spare parts and a draft pick likely to be at the bottom of the first round is not going to get the job done.  Green and Bass are not going to bring back much in a trade either.  Expect Brad Stevens to bolt the Celtics for the first top college job (cough, Indiana, cough) that becomes available instead of riding out a rebuilding process that has no guarantee of being a success.

Sign Rondo.  Deal for another veteran.  Draft and develop role players.  That's the way out.