So I have been listening to all the sports talk over the last few days talking about the Boston Celtics and if they should or should not make any trades before the trading deadline Thursday, February 21 at 3 p.m. ET. I'm putting my two cents into this debate of whether or not to make a deal this year and make a run at the title or blow the whole thing up and start building for the future now.
People seem to be 50/50 on trading either Paul Pierce and/or Kevin Garnett. But most fans agree they don't want to see the Celtics become the Atlanta Hawks; a one-and-done playoff team, whether they make a trade or not. Here's how you avoid this, still contend this year and stock up for next year and beyond.
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| Is Rajon Rondo tradeable even though he just had surgery for a torn ACL? |
First, trade that petulant point guard in Rajon Rondo. Or should it be Rajon "Rhonda" because he acts like such a little bitch sometimes? (And I'm one of his biggest fans!!) Well whatever you want to call him, he is a hellava player and is one of the top 5 point guards in this league. Period. With that being said, you take Rondo and Fab Melo and trade them for Dwight Howard. I know, I know... you think I've lost my damn mind. Well I have, but here is why. Dwight Howard does not R-E-S-P-E-C-T Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Coach Mike D'Antoni or the Lakers organization. Plus, with Gasol coming back, the Lakers may want to get rid of Dwight to make some room on the ummm... court. Howard needs to get the hell out of Dodge and Boston looks like a great fit. He respects Doc Rivers and with the addition of Howard, the Celtics can compete with just about any team in the Eastern Conference. Now your team will look like Courtney Lee (PG), Avery Bradley (SG), Paul Pierce (SF), Kevin Garnett (PF) and Dwight Howard (C) starting with Jeff Green and Brandon Bass coming off the bench. Notice I still have Pierce and KG in the lineup. That is because I believe they still both have the remainder of this year and next year that they can contribute on a high level and I wouldn't trade them. Plus I need Kevin Garnett to drill into Dwight Howard how to be a pro. Dwight Howard needs an attitude adjustment and I feel pretty good that KG can "motivate" him. You now play the rest of this year with this newly constructed Celtics team; which if I'm correct, should make the Eastern Conference Finals. If they get that far, then they will be playing with house money as far as I'm concerned and if they get to the NBA Finals, that's just icing on the cake.
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| Imagine Ty Lawson throwing alley-oops to Jared Sullinger? Umm.. yes please!! |
Going into the 2013-14 season, they would need to find a point guard. My top choice would be Chris Paul, but a guy like Ty Lawson would also fit in nicely with this team. That gives you a young point guard, Howard, Bradley and Jared Sullinger you can build around for the next few years. Add that to KG and Pierce for the 2013/14 season, you are again a top 3 team in the Eastern Conference. Once Garnett and Pierce retire (as Celtics) at the end of the 2013/14 season, you can find a veteran or two to replace them or address those concerns in the next two drafts. Plus, you still have Jeff Green, who should be just about to break out as a star.
So by just trading Rondo and Fab Melo for Dwight Howard, the Celtics have given themselves a chance to contend this year and by adding a young point guard in the offseason, they have given their team a chance to contend next year and beyond with a young nucleus of talent. The Celtics fans are happy they get to see Paul Pierce retire a Celtic having only played for Boston and hopefully watch both KG and Pierce raise another championship banner.
So come on Danny Ainge, what are you waiting for?
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