We absolutely waited too long. Yes. I don't even think it's disputable. I'm sure the return for Rondo has never been what people hoped, but I'm pretty certain it was better than bench players and a late 2016 1st. I mean... we got 4 unprotected 1sts + Zeller + another 1st for KG and Pierce when those two were half retired.
1. Few teams in history have ever made as bad a trade as the Nets did for KG and Pierce.
2. The way to get more for Rondo would have been to trade him before he hurt his knee. Who was going to do that?
Mike
I know some people insist the Rondo trade rumors over the years were baseless, but seeing Ainge dump him for a lowly 2016 protected 1st should put the "media conspiracy" theories to rest. So if we take those trade rumors at face value, it sure seems like there were better offers on the table prior and perhaps even after his injury. Pre-injury we could have gotten Pau Gasol for him. Part of me still wonders how Pau, Kg and Pierce would have done together. Post-injury it sounds like the Kings were willing to make a stupid offer for Rondo at one point.
The specifics don't matter. We could have gotten more for rondo this past summer had we not been putting all our efforts towards landing Kevin love. Surely a team like the lakers or Knicks would have given up more before both of those teams got to their current point of no return.
I don't think it's debatable. We waited too long.