NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics Wrong to Consider Rajon Rondo for Pau Gasol

From the files of the absurd and the wildly bizarre comes word the Boston Celtics would give the LA Lakers precisely what they need at the moment. 

Hoopsworld's Eric Pincus dropped a bomb of a rumor recently when he reported Lakers general manager Mitch Kuchak was referring to Rajon Rondo when he stated the following: 

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Well, if there were a way for us to get a 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard we’d love to do it … but that’s not likely in February. So you look at other alternatives, and see if it’s better than what you have. That’s all.

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He also went on to say that, not only are the Lakers targeting Rondo, but the Celtics would have an interest in Pau Gasol. 

Yes, the two teams that have nearly killed one another over decades of basketball warfare may consummate a marquee trade. 

Pincus makes the argument that the Celtics have almost no size on the interior when you consider the stars who will be free agents this summer.

The Celtics may not value Rondo that much over Avery Bradley and could instead rebuild from the inside out. 

Somewhere along the way, the Celtics ditched he idea of being the bruising bullies of the east. They had a perfectly fine center in Kendrick Perkins. 

He lead the mantra on defense in being a big, bad bruiser down low. His trade to the Thunder has set off a domino effect that may see the Celtics get rebuilt as a finesse team. What else can you say if they actually go through with a Gasol-for-Rondo swap?

There is no question that the Celtics have to rebuild. This is an aging team that is heading in the wrong direction. An infusion of youth and new blood is mandatory, but Rondo is the perfect hard-nosed guard to build around.

The Celtics should never break bread with the hated Lakers, but if they do, they shouldn't give them exactly what they need. 

The Lakers would no doubt miss Gasol's size. He also lends a great mismatch when you consider the perimeter play he gives on offense. 

But the Lakers have craved a star point guard for years. They would have one of the best backcourts in basketball, and one that could defend as well as carry the load on offense. 

With Andrew Bynum down low, the Lakers would be a far more balanced team. More importantly, they would head into next season with a core of players that they could build around for one more title push with Kobe Bryant. 

The Celtics are toying with making themselves softer and the Lakers better. Somehow I don't believe what I am seeing.

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