Rajon Rondo: Should the Boston Celtics Consider Moving Him to Save the Future?

There's no question that Rajon Rondo is the best point guard for the NBA's present, but is he the best player to build around for the future? He is without argument , a "pure point guard," a player who can run a team at an elite level and distribute effectively.

The question around Rondo is whether he's the player that the Celtics should build around. Is he the type of player and person who can lead a team to the finals?

Rondo is a great passer but a challenged scorer. His career scoring average is only 10.7 points per game. Can teams rely on great passers with limited scoring ability? 

Looking at point guards with at least 5,000 assists and seven assists per game I divided them into two categories, those who scored at least 18 points per game for their careers, and those who scored less than that.

Of the six who had scored over 18 points per game, five had won a championship in their careers, and they had combined for a total of 15 championships. Of the 15 whose career averages are under 18 points, only one, Jason Kidd has any rings, and he just won his first.

Now there is the obvious argument that Rajon Rondo has won a ring as well. However, that was on a different kind of team. It's doubtful that the Celtics will be able to continue to surround him with Hall of Fame players for the duration of his career.

Rajon Rondo is a terrific passer and an elite defender, but he is not the style of player who historically wins championships by leading a team. Sans scorers his ability to help a team is severely limited.

Furthermore, whether his meltdown was a result of Barack Obama's question to Ray Allen, "When are you going to teach this guy to shoot?" or the departure of his good friend Kendrick Perkins, it was agreed that it was psychological, not physical. 

This raises the question as to whether he has the mentality to lead a team to a title. Certainly he can be on a team, he's established that. At times he is extraordinary, whether it was the dynamic postseason of 2010 or the one-armed games this last postseason, he can thrive under pressure. . 

But he's also shown he can buckle and go into a tremendous funk. Is that really something a franchise can build around? It's important to consider because it's likely that there will be some bad times. It's not "pressure" that gets to Rondo, it's difficulty, and there is difficulty ahead for this franchise. 

In other words, he's a tremendous finishing stone, but not so much a cornerstone. He can complete a team, but he isn't likely the player who can start one. He can pilot a winning team, but can he encourage a losing team?  

If Boston is on its way down, and it appears to be, then now would be the ideal time to trade Rondo. His stock may be as high as it will ever be. As Boston's stars age, his impressive assist numbers will decline. 

Should Boston consider decide they want to trade him for an elite scorer. There are teams a point guard away from contention that could use a player like Rondo with assets to send back. 

The Celtics should start thinking long term, not short term. Trading Rondo might seem like an off the table option, but it may be the only option they have.