NBA Rumors: Rondo for Gasol Really a Good Trade for Lakers and Celtics?

The Los Angeles Lakers need a point guard and Rajon Rondo fits the description perfectly for a defensive minded head coach in Mike Brown and a shoot-first-and-never-ask me-questions-about-it superstar in Kobe Bryant.

The knock of Rondo has always been his shooting.  Playing with one of the league's most bountiful shooters in Bryant would allow the Lakers' backcourt to flow like water.

It's absolutely perfect for the Lakers in the fact that Rondo is never looking to shoot and Kobe is never looking to pass.   

Losing a player like Pau Gasol could be more hurtful though, especially when a player like Rondo  comes without any offense.

Gasol has a skill set that isn't matched by any other big man in the NBA but that argument and statement has worn out its welcome and value.

Rondo would be a smooth transition in Los Angeles but Gasol wouldn't fit in Boston. 

With the hardcore aggressive mindset of head coach Doc Rivers and the Celtics, where would the mild mannered, somewhat passive Gasol find himself?

Imagine Gasol cracking jokes on a team bus or flight with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. 

Exactly. 

Now if the Celtics want to trade Rondo and Garnett to the Lakers for Gasol and Steve Blake, that may be a different story.

For the Lakers, Andrew Bynum needs that assistance in manning the paint.  It just doesn't seem as if he can do it all on his own and another presence down low would keep him in a comfort zone.  Offensive and defensive attention would be directed elsewhere in critical, late game situations to Bynum's benefit. 

An older Garnett that doesn't need the ball, can take a backseat and focus strictly on defense would be a benefit and keep the Lakers 14 feet strong in the paint. 

The acquisition of a player like Rondo would also assist the Lakers (no pun intended) in the success of spot-up shooters like Jason Kapono and Metta World Peace while a personality like KG could also support in lightening up the Lakers' locker room.

Over the years, we all read, hear and see the same things regarding Kobe and his attitude, so the presence of Garnett and his energy on and off the court comes without question. 

The athletic point guards in the Western Conference like Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul would much rather face Derek Fisher and Blake in a rotation than to have to deal with Rondo for 40-plus minutes. 

The rumor of the Lakers and Celtics, from Hoops World's Eric Pincus, even talking is amusing due to the history between the franchises. 

As tempting as it sounds, a straight-up trade with Rondo and Gasol wouldn't be the best thing for either team.  But Garnett, along with the abundance of talent on the Lakers' bench could make a trade appeasing for both teams, rivalry or not.