If Lakers pick falls in the top-8, would you trade Rondo for it?

[BleedGreen1989]

Thinking along the lines of LA landing in the top-8. They just gave Kobe a huge deal and he will absolutely want to compete in his final years. It's no secret Kobe loves Rajon...

"You don't want Rondo? Send him my way," Kobe declared. "I love everything about him. Everything. I love his attitude, I love his chippiness, his edge, his intellect, his know-it-allness. All of it. That's what makes championship players.

 
Also the recent "Butthole" compliment.

They would also have enough cap space to absorb him outright I believe, giving Boston a large TPE as well. They could bring back Gasol or also possibly convince Melo to join them (not sure the numbers on that one).

Would you? Why? Why not?

[Tr1boy]

I would in a second. But lakers will not do that

with #5 they can draft Smart or Exum instead

If lakers had like the 8th pick, no smart, exum then yes, they might go ahead with the offer

[BigAlTheFuture]

Yes I would. It would screw the Lakers for the future.

[Donoghus]

I would (especially if our pick is Top 5 also) but the Lakers would never do it.

[Jailan34]

No team would trade a top 5 pick in this draft for Rajon Rondo.

[BleedGreen1989]

Well perhaps I can open it up to top-8 pick?

My belief is that LA will trade their pick if it doesn't fall in the top-3. They won't draft a teenager to come in and try and help Kobe win a championship. Can't prove it but just my theory.

[JBcat]

If we can get Exum in the deal it might benefit both sides.  I don't think the Lakers can afford to be patient with a young player with Kobe nearing the end, and a win now move for Rondo would keep Kobe happy.   We are going to have so many young players, and unless Ainge can make some major moves in the next year or so he might have to explore moving Rondo.

[CoachBo]

Certainly.

But the cost of the alcohol required to get Jim Buss drunk enough to do it would make the deal cost-prohibitive.

[BleedGreen1989]

If we can get Exum in the deal it might benefit both sides.  I don't think the Lakers can afford to be patient with a young player with Kobe nearing the end, and a win now move for Rondo would keep Kobe happy.   We are going to have so many young players, and unless Ainge can make some major moves in the next year or so he might have to explore moving Rondo.

This is the entire premise of my idea. So if people disagree with this, that's completely fine, but makes a conversation moot.

[CoachBo]

No team would trade a top 5 pick in this draft for Rajon Rondo.

Unless Tim takes over as the Lakers' GM.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

We could draft Exum or Smart, trade Rondo for Vonleh and then trade Sully + one of our mediocre players + a couple picks for an all-star level FA.  I could live with that scenario, as unlikely as it is

[indeedproceed]

I'd need a top-5 pick, and even then I'd hate it. Not cuz I don't think Rondo is worth a top-8 pick, that's debatable..but because I don't wanna see him in LA. They gotta pay a premium.

[MikeJelly]

At first I voted No because Rondo is too valuable. But then I got me thinking, What if Rondo doesn't come back the same player? What if Exum/Smart could be better? Getting Exum/Smart and Embiid/Wiggins/Parker would make us a great young team for the future. This makes me think of how the Sonics/Thunder got Durant and Westbrook. Except we'd be doing it in the same draft. Fun stuff for the future boys!

[nostar]

Lakers don't have to trade their pick to get top talent. They can throw a max deal at Melo, James or Bosh in the off season, pick in the top-5 and surround that cast with a solid bench of ring chasers. Working on the assumption they get Bosh (the lesser of the 3) for $17M/yr ($70M/4yrs or $85M/5yrs), their pick falls outside of the top-3 and they decide to pick Smart and re-sign Pau for $10M/1yr with a team option for a 2nd.

Nash/Smart
Kobe
Marion/Rush/Ariza @VetMin
Bosh
Pau

Any competent ball handler will thrive with Kobe, Bosh and Pau (See: Mario Chalmers). Smart will have a very successful first season "backing up" Nash averaging 37mpg. Oh and if they can pawn Nash off on someone as an expiring in the off season they can probably sign Danny Granger for $16M/2yrs. This is life in Lakerland.

That is the rub with the current NBA. Large markets have a marked advantage in attracting FAs because of their opportunity for endorsements. Bosh can take a little less than max $, Pau can take a little less than his market value and the Lakers can add 2-3 very talented pieces around Kobe all by virtue of the LA market.

Oh yeah and if Smart doesn't pan out they can always take a swing Rondo if FA after the season.

All that said I'm not sure I trade Rondo for anything outside of a top-3 pick. I think Rondo might be one of those rare loyalty guys who you have to keep when you get them. KG was one, Tim Duncan is another. Guys who marry all-NBA talent with a sense of pride for the team they play for. From what I can tell Rondo is that guy. I think he is smart enough to understand the business and still stay loyal to his fan base. You keep those guys.

[Birdman]

Nooooo..I wouldn't give the Lakers a bag of popcorn or anything