Instant Reaction to Celtics-Pistons Trade Rumors

Today, news came afloat that the Celtics apparently offered Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to the Pistons for Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, and Rodney Stuckey. 

Out of all the Celtics rumors that I’ve heard this season, this is the first and only one that seems like it might be true. Ray Allen for a draft pick? No way. Rondo for a draft pick? Nope. But Rondo and Ray for two all-stars and a possible future all-star? Maybe.

If it’s true, and the Celtics somehow pull the trigger on this trade, I wouldn’t be nearly as furious as I would have been with any of the other proposed trades this summer. 

Tayshaun and Rip are both established players in this league. We could start either of them besides Paul Pierce and bring the other off the bench, solidifying our bench and maintaining our strength at starting shooting guard. 

They are both solid, defensive-minded players with offensive versatility. Over the past eight or so years, Hamilton has been as solid as players come and has a terrific midrange jumper. Tayshaun is a jack-of-all-trades with a nice post game and good perimeter shooting.

Stuckey would certainly be a downgrade from Rondo, but he’s a player with vast potential. I’m sure most C’s fans remember his big series against the Celtics in the 2008 playoffs. He spelled Chauncey that series for some very impressive minutes, showing nice touch on his outside jump shot and a relentless motivation to get to the hole. 

At his best, Stuckey is a pit bull capable of getting to the rim at will and accumulating a lot of layups and free throw opportunities, but at his worst he is a turnover-prone point guard with a tendency to over-dribble (actually, come to think of it, that sounds a lot like Rondo.)

Making this trade would neither be a trade that would catapult the Celtics into certain title winners nor a trade that would necessarily make them any worse for the long run or for right now.

Count me as a guy who still hopes we keep our starting five intact for a run at another title, but this is the first trade mentioned that might actually make sense. 

Danny, our future is in your hands...don’t mess it up.

See this reaction and more at Celtics Town.