Dan Shaughnessy wrote an article the other day how ”now” is not the time to trade Rajon Rondo partly because of the fact how much better Cleveland just got with the addition of Shaq. 

Am I missing something here?  What does one have to do with the other?  I love Rondo but Danny is right when he says that he has to mature and work on his outside shot.  Rondo is great point guard, but in my opinion is not an “elite” point guard yet.  He is a huge part of the Celtics but is no where near untouchable.  Danny says that no one is untouchable, and I believe him.  (Except for KG, unless some team loses their mind and pulls some ridiculous stunt to trade for him.)

At the end of the day if you can get equal or greater value for Rondo, which will not be an easy thing to do, then pull the trigger on the deal if it makes you better as a team.  I’m not saying Rondo can’t be a max guy but he does have some work to do.  When you have a guy playing off you so far that they will let you be a step inside the free throw line with the ball and are basically begging you to take that shot and you don’t, then you are not an elite point guard.  Orlando exploited his weakness and it definitely hurt the Celtics.  Other teams will be doing the same thing.  I want the kid to get better and stay with the Celtics but at the same time the Celtics have to plan ahead.  I can see their dilemma in giving Rondo big money if he doesn’t tighten up his game and maturity level.  I know Cornbread said he would take 10 million per year over 5 years but I don’t see that happening.

The Celtics are a great organization and Danny and Wyc are going to do what’s best for the Celtics.  If that means getting rid of Rondo then so be it.  As long as they are staying as good or getting better because of a trade then they should entertain it.

Now onto the ridiculous statement from Shaughnessy:  “Oh, and did I mention that team in Cleveland? The Cavaliers just got a lot better.  LA folk are already drooling over the prospect of a Shaq-Kobe Finals.  It will be a big theme from now until next June.” 

Are you kidding me!?  The Cavaliers just got a lot better?  This isn’t the Shaq from 10 years ago.  They got somewhat better, but a lot better?  No way.  Cleveland is a mediocre team at best, with arguably the best player in basketball.  Say Lebron suffered an injury last year before the season and couldn’t play for the year.  Not only does Cleveland not make the playoffs, they don’t even play .500 ball.  Would anyone else on that team even start for another NBA team with the exception of Mo Williams?  I say no.  Even with Shaq on that team they are not a lot better off. 

Cleveland is going to obviously make some more moves but so are most teams.  They need another big time stud for them to even think about winning a championship.  Shaq is still good mainly because of his strength and size but to me it’s the equivalent of the Celtics getting Dominique way after his best years had passed.  In any event, it should be an interesting offseason for the Celtics.