I don't expect the over reactionary nature of this board to say anything but "hellz no!!!" and thus I'm not surprised with some people trying to say this is the "wurst trade evahhhh!". Talk about your classic hyperbole.
I wish there was a 3rd option to the poll - "maybe". Frankly, I don't know if it was a good trade or not. Time will tell.
1. I like Rondo. I think the guy gets a bum rap. I think he wants to win, I think he has shown he can win, I think he's a good guy, I think he's a good teammate and I think he's been a good player who at times has been great. I'm a Rondo fan.
2. Rondo's play this year has been pretty uninspired. His shooting percentage is so far in the tank it's almost incomprehensible. He's only getting to the line at about 1/2 the rate he did a couple of years ago, instead settling for the pass or long jump shot. He still rebounds like a fiend, but his scoring is down and his turnover rate is up. Rondo has not looked good this year and he very well may have needed or demanded a change of scenery.
3. I didn't think he was worth a max deal this offseason. A couple of years ago there was a honest debate if he was the #1, #2 or #3 PG in the league with CP3 and Rose. This version of Rondo may not even be a top 10 PG in this league. To be honest, I'm not sure he is - or if he is, it's at the tail end of the top 10. That is NOT a guy I want to spend $15m+ per season for as he goes into his 30s. You may disagree, but that's how I see it.
With those factors and the rebuilding direction of the team, I don't think he would have been very easy to resign this summer. I don't know if the Celtics should have even attempted to resign him this summer. He's just not been that good the end of last season and the beginning of this one. I think the writing has been on the wall ever since the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart. He's the PG of the future and there's no reason to sit him any longer anyway.
So IF the statements above are accurate, Rondo was a short-term rental through the end of this season. If that was the case, what did the Celtics get in return? Nothing spectacular, but then again I don't think anyone was breaking the bank for Rondo this year. So what did they get?
Wright - Ok, the guy has great per 36 numbers but only plays 18 minutes. I have no idea if he's just a role player or a potential starter. I know he can play some D. He also plays PF and there's already a logjam there, so I'm not sure what's going to happen. Nice, but nothing to get too excited about.
Crowder - I don't know anything about him. Consider that a "nothing".
Nelson - This could be very good for Smart. I've always liked this guy and I think he could really help teach Smart the game. I think he may fit in well.
1st Round Pick - It's going to be in the 20s, so this isn't anything to write home about. But it's a first along with the Clippers pick. So that's 3 #1s this coming year and 3 #1s next year plus a host of 2s. In this case, quantity = quality.
$13m trade exception - this could be big. Very big. Ainge turned the last one into a #1 pick, Thornton and Zeller. I think Danny will be able to turn this into something good too. With the cap space available this summer AND this trade exception AND the first round picks, EVERYONE will want to trade with Ainge. Every other GM will have him on speed dial because he'll be able to deal everything - young talent, trade exceptions, picks, veterans, etc. There's very little he can't offer any other team in the league.
I think many of us would have preferred to see All Star Rondo return and become a dominant force for the Celtics that could be the cornerstone of the franchise going forward. Frankly, I think that was Danny's hope too but that Rondo is nowhere to be seen. Given that being the case, this is probably about the best move Danny could make and I doubt there was a better offer on the table.
I'm not happy. I really liked watching Rondo and wish him all the best. But at this stage, everyone may be better off long-term from this trade. This may be the proverbial deal that helps both teams.