If KG/PP Retire, Would You Swap Rosters with the Bobcats?

[Lucky17]

After how many years of rebuilding (?), Bobcats still don't have a single cornerstone player they can build their franchise around.

They will have to somehow find that player through a trade, using cap space -- not current rostered players -- as the bait.

Going to be a long, long time before Charlotte is relevant in the NBA.

[syfy9]

I'd argue that MKG has more trade value than Rondo.

Just false.

trade value doesn't equal current talent level.

[PhoSita]

I've said this before when you've asked this, LC, but I'll say it again.

No, I wouldn't, and I think your question is off-base.

The Bobcats are a terrible team, and their roster is mostly devoid of talent.

But that is not because they are a rebuilding team specifically.  Rebuilding is not the same thing as having an awful roster with little in the way of redeeming assets.  The Bobcats are in that situation because of poor management, some bad luck, a lack of money, and not so great drafting.


The Celtics already have some decent young assets to work with.  I think the Celtics could make moves over the next year that would put them in a better position to rebuild than the Bobcats are likely to be in, unless they are lucky enough to get the #1 pick next year (this year not so much).

Just having Rondo and Green already puts the Celtics in a better position because those can be traded for young assets.  The most valuable guy the Bobcats have is MKG, and I think the jury is still out on whether he's going to end up being more than a nice role player.


The fact that somebody thinks the Celtics ought to rebuild, or that a team has to draft high at some point to become elite again, does not mean they want the Celtics to become the Bobcats.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'd argue that MKG has more trade value than Rondo.

Just false.

He's 19 and on his rookie contract.  Rondo plays the deepest position in the league, is 28 years old, a top-10 PG and coming off of major surgery.   MKG has more trade value. You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

Interesting aside, in lieu of sarcastic remarks I was preparing to make, MKG is the very worst 19 year old to average at least 9 and 6 in the NBA, but it's a short and intriguing list that includes James, Garnett, Howard, Melo, Bosh, and McGrady - although also Ainge project, Darius Miles.

[indeedproceed]

I've said this before when you've asked this, LC, but I'll say it again.

No, I wouldn't, and I think your question is off-base.

The Bobcats are a terrible team, and their roster is mostly devoid of talent.

But that is not because they are a rebuilding team specifically.  Rebuilding is not the same thing as having an awful roster with little in the way of redeeming assets.  The Bobcats are in that situation because of poor management, some bad luck, a lack of money, and not so great drafting.


The Celtics already have some decent young assets to work with.  I think the Celtics could make moves over the next year that would put them in a better position to rebuild than the Bobcats are likely to be in, unless they are lucky enough to get the #1 pick next year (this year not so much).

Just having Rondo and Green already puts the Celtics in a better position because those can be traded for young assets.  The most valuable guy the Bobcats have is MKG, and I think the jury is still out on whether he's going to end up being more than a nice role player.


The fact that somebody thinks the Celtics ought to rebuild, or that a team has to draft high at some point to become elite again, does not mean they want the Celtics to become the Bobcats.

Nailed it.

[The Walker Wiggle]

You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

The three other top 5 Bobcats draft picks that LarBrd33 wouldn't trade straight up for Rondo? Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison.

[ejk3489]

I'm sorry but it's laughable to think MKG or the top 5 pick of a crappy draft class this year has more value than Rondo right now...ACL tear or not, he's clearly a better asset to have than either of those options.

Does anyone actually want to build around players on the Bobcats roster?

[colincb]

I'd argue that MKG has more trade value than Rondo.

Just false.

He's 19 and on his rookie contract.  Rondo plays the deepest position in the league, is 28 years old, a top-10 PG and coming off of major surgery.   MKG has more trade value. You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

Interesting aside, in lieu of sarcastic remarks I was preparing to make, MKG is the very worst 19 year old to average at least 9 and 6 in the NBA, but it's a short and intriguing list that includes James, Garnett, Howard, Melo, Bosh, and McGrady - although also Ainge project, Darius Miles.

  MKG finished behind Chris Copeland in the ROY voting and you're telling me he has more trade value than Rondo?

[LooseCannon]

The fact that somebody thinks the Celtics ought to rebuild, or that a team has to draft high at some point to become elite again, does not mean they want the Celtics to become the Bobcats.

One reason that I ask the question is that, unless you get hit with injuries to key players, I think you have to be in the same talent neighborhood as the worst teams in the league to end the season with one of the worst records. 

Fans who want to tank for next season want the Celtics to become the Bobcats; they just don't realize it.  There are so many bad teams right now that putting together a team that "only" gets 30 wins next season might have you drafting 8th in 2014.

[LooseCannon]

I'd argue that MKG has more trade value than Rondo.

Just false.

He's 19 and on his rookie contract.  Rondo plays the deepest position in the league, is 28 years old, a top-10 PG and coming off of major surgery.   MKG has more trade value. You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

Interesting aside, in lieu of sarcastic remarks I was preparing to make, MKG is the very worst 19 year old to average at least 9 and 6 in the NBA, but it's a short and intriguing list that includes James, Garnett, Howard, Melo, Bosh, and McGrady - although also Ainge project, Darius Miles.

  MKG finished behind Chris Copeland in the ROY voting and you're telling me he has more trade value than Rondo?

Due to the size of his contract, more teams can trade for MKG than Rondo.  More teams are in play so there is more of a market for MKG in a trade.

Here is an extreme example of how salary cap considerations can trump on-court performance in trade value.  Amare Stoudemire is a significantly more talented and useful player than DJ White.  Due to his contract, DJ White is more of a trade asset than Amare Stoudemire.

[LarBrd33]

You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

The three other top 5 Bobcats draft picks that LarBrd33 wouldn't trade straight up for Rondo? Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison.

There's been a lot of busts picked in the top 5.  There's also been a lot of superstars.

No, I don't think Rondo would net you a top 5 pick at this point.  He's 28 years old, flawed, probably not an all-star anymore... and although 12 mil a year is a reasonable contract for a fringe allstar who can't shoot... most rebuilding teams would opt to take the top 5 pick.  It's a potential superstar and he'll be locked into a rookie deal. 

Now, I think most contenders would prefer to go with an established 28 year old (presuming Rondo ever comes back from his injury)... but most teams picking in the top 5 aren't contenders... they are teams looking to rebuild. 

[LarBrd33]

I'd argue that MKG has more trade value than Rondo.

Just false.

He's 19 and on his rookie contract.  Rondo plays the deepest position in the league, is 28 years old, a top-10 PG and coming off of major surgery.   MKG has more trade value. You couldn't get a top 5 pick for rondo at this point

Interesting aside, in lieu of sarcastic remarks I was preparing to make, MKG is the very worst 19 year old to average at least 9 and 6 in the NBA, but it's a short and intriguing list that includes James, Garnett, Howard, Melo, Bosh, and McGrady - although also Ainge project, Darius Miles.

Just taking a look at some notable 19 year olds in recent league history:


LeBron James per-36:  19 points, 5.4 assists, 5 rebonds, 1.5 steals 41%/29%/75%

Kevin Garnett per 36:  13 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 blocks, 1.4 steals, 49%/28%/70%

Tracy McGrady per 36: 14.9 points, 9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.1 blocks, 44%, 23%, 73%

Chris Bosh per 36: 12.3 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.8 steals, 1.5 blocks, 46%/36%/70%

Dwight Howard per-36:  13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1.8 blocks, 52%/0%/67%

Carmelo Anthony per 36: 20.7 points, 6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 43%/32%/78%

Kobe Bryant per 36: 21.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks 43%/34%/79%

Anthony Davis per 36: 17 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.2 blocks, 52%/0%/75%

Kevin Durant per 36:  21.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 43%/29%/87%

Darius Miles per 36: 12.8 points, 8 rebounds, 1.7 assists. 1 steal, 2.1 blocks, 50%/0%/52%

Michael K-G per 36:  12.5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1.2 blocks, 46%/22%/75%


You're actually totally right.  TP 

FYI, rondo at age 20 per 36:  9.9 points, 5.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals 0.2 blocks, 42%/20%/65%

...

Still, MKG has potential.  He's 19 years old... he's on his rookie deal.  I'd argue he has more trade value than Rajon Rondo coming off ACL surgery... but i'm willing to agree i'll probably lose that argument. 

[Celtics4ever]

Jordan only hits on can't miss projects like Davis.  He is a horrible GM.

[Roy H.]

Yes.  I think a good GM would be able to rebuild the Bobcats quicker than he could the post-Pierce/KG Celtics.

[clover]

With or without Noels?