NBA Trade Deadline: How Dealing Rajon Rondo Could Help the Celtics

The big three has become the aging three in Boston; the only bright spot for the Celtics now seems to be Rajon Rondo, who has put up eye-popping numbers and been known as a true point guard.

He isn't a ball hog by any means and can see the floor tremendously. The only visible flaw with Rondo is that he has had his attitude questioned on multiple occasions. Celtics GM Danny Ainge spoke out today about the trade rumors surrounding his young star by telling CSNNE.com,

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"I don't know how many times I have to say it. Rondo's not being traded."

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From the eyes of an average observer, this make sense. Kevin Garnett is getting old in the tooth, as well as Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. In a couple years, we could see each of these three gone.

So why not trade them instead?

Chemistry.

The trio make a fantastic unit when working together, as seen in the past. However, that was years ago, and the only thing pushing them forward now seems to be—you guessed it—Rajon Rondo.

But by making a playoff push this year with a roster only getting older, it seems as though he will be the only significant player left in a couple years. There are teams all around the NBA with remarkable potential to be great within the next few years, thanks to their young roster and depth.

Boston needs to find the significant players on these teams to avoid the draft lottery for years to come, and this trade is one that makes sense for each side.

• The Boston Celtics receive J.J. Hickson (from SAC), Jason Thomspon (from SAC), 2012 first-round draft pick (from SAC) and Jarrett Jack (from NO).

   

  
• The Sacramento Kings receive Rajon Rondo (from BOS) and Brandon Bass (from BOS).

   

   

• The New Orleans Hornets receive Tyreke Evans (from SAC).

   

   

The NBA-owned Hornets will accept this. After all, they're essentially trading an almost 30-year-old point guard for a player who plays the same position and was only the fourth player to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game his rookie season.

The Maloofs would love to land the Celtics' superstar. Tyreke is reportedly on the trading block and it is unclear whether the Kings will extend his contract after this season. Moving into a new arena and landing a guy who can spread the ball around in Rondo will make this team's future beyond bright. It will be hard to control both him and Demarcus Cousins's personalities, but that will smooth over when they join forces on the court.

If I were Danny Ainge, I don't know how I could refuse the offer in front of me.

After this deal, the Celtics would have cleared $4 million in cap room. The players that Boston will have added after this aren't superstars by any means, but they are efficient basketball players who have potential to be even better.

J.J. Hickson had his best season last year in Cleveland and because of his role in Sacramento, he did not put up nearly the same numbers. Jason Thomspon can be an instant starter over the 33-year-old Jermaine O'Neal in no time. Jarrett Jack is not Rajon Rondo, nor is he any younger, but he will be put into the starting line-up to dish the rock rather than take several shots of his own.

And finally, the first-round draft pick.

With Sacramento's record being in the bottom five of the entire league, it shouldn't be a stretch to say that even after this deal, the Kings are already reserved for a spot in the draft lottery. They lose three significant players to gain an amazing point guard. Will the Kings be better? Absolutely. Are they going to make a run this season? No chance.

If Boston wants to look forward to the future of this team, they will shop Rondo. This is the only trade I see them benefiting from.