Lakers Trade Rumors: Celtics Have Edge in Rumored Pau Gasol and Rajon Rondo Swap

If the rumored Pau Gasol for Rajon Rondo trade ever takes place, the Celtics have the immediate edge in the deal. Notice I said, immediate.

This deal would have more positive effects for the Lakers in the long term. That fact makes it a deal worth exploring, despite the fact that Rondo isn't exactly made to play with Kobe Bryant.

The Celtics would be getting a true back-to-the-basket scoring threat, and despite his recent struggles, Gasol is still a career 18-point and nine-rebound player, as well as a top-five big man in the NBA. 

He is 31 years old, and he is scheduled to make just over $19 million per year over the next two seasons. That may seem like a lot, but with free agents to be, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen's salary possibly coming off the books this offseason, the Celtics can afford him.

The Celtics finally found their stride this season going 6-2 when their star point guard went out with an arm injury. The Celtics brass had to be encouraged by the way the team played without Rondo. It sends the message that their young guards Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore are capable of contributing and have a bright future as neither is over the age of 22.

During Rondo's absence, the two averaged 14 points and six assists per game. It wasn't stellar, but it was good enough to take six out of eight games.

A Boston Celtics squad with Paul Pierce, Gasol and a ton of cap room is a contender in the 2012-2013 season. The young point guards could either start, or provide depth for a free-agent point guard that comes cheaper than Rondo's $11 million dollar per year deal.

Not to mention, they would be in play to make a run at Dwight Howard with the money they'd have available. Pierce, Gasol and Howard would be the best frontcourt in the NBA.

As for the Lakers, Rondo's poor outside shot (24 percent three-point shooter) doesn't mesh well with Kobe in their backcourt.

The perfect player to play alongside Kobe is a young Derek Fisher. Fisher's ability to hit clutch shots from distance, play solid defense and not demand the ball, is ideal.

Fisher of course, is still a Laker, but age has slowed him significantly on the defensive side of the ball and the Lakers have been forced to limit his minutes. Rondo can only deliver on one of those traits, and that's the defensive aspect.

He adds the slashing and playmaking abilities, but a team with Kobe Bryant doesn't need that from its point guard. Kobe is the ball dominator, and the offense runs through him. He needs his point guard to be a deadly escape valve, and Rondo isn't that type of player.

On the upside of the deal, Kobe can't play forever. His contract runs through 2013-2014, and by that time he'll be 36 years old. The Lakers can't afford to hang on with the Mamba that long.

Los Angeles fans could be staring at a situation in 2012 or 2013 where the Lakers actually consider trading, or using the amnesty clause on the greatest player in franchise history.

Whatever the specifics of the inevitable Bryant departure, Rondo could be a major part of the Lakers' new identity. 

His playmaking skills are teammate friendly, and the team would presumably have to be rebuilt in a way that fits his talents and hides his weaknesses; much like the situation the Big Three in Boston provided.

Rondo hasn't averaged less than eight assists in four years, that type of statistic will get the attention of potential free agents, and Southern California doesn't hurt the Lakers draw either.

The Lakers would be an even more attractive spot for free agents if they had a playmaking star as opposed to a star that is going to take 20 plus shots per game.

Rondo is also a cheaper long-term investment, that also puts the Lakers in play for Howard this offseason. A team led by Rondo, Bryant and Howard would be quite formidable.

This is an interesting potential deal, and one that helps both teams equally, just not at the same time.