Felger & Mazz: Are The Celtics Asking Too Much For Rondo?
BOSTON (CBS) - The NBA trade rumor mill is spinning a mile a minute and Celtics guard Rajon Rondo is once again being frequently mentioned.
The C's are reportedly asking for 2 first-round picks in return for the All-Star point guard - but is that too much?
Michael Felger and Marc Bertrand debated the topic Wednesday afternoon as the trade deadline nears.
But first for some backdrop . . . this little nugget appeared in Marc Stein's blog earlier this morning:
One source close to the situation told ESPN.com this week that Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck -- who has long preferred to keep Rondo in Boston even though he'll be an unrestricted free agent in less than 18 months -- is insisting that Ainge set a high trade price for the All-Star point guard.
Is it possible that VP of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge could've already shipped Rondo out of town but a memo from above directed otherwise? Are 2 first-round picks reasonable to ask?
"I think it is, but part of it becomes where are the picks coming from? If it's a good team that doesn't make a lot of sense, but if it's coming from a bad team, or a middle of the road team then yeah I think that could make some sense," said Beetle.
Jrue Holiday (career average 13.5 points and 6.0 assists per game) was dealt from Philadelphia to New Orleans last year and he was able to garner 2 first-rounders, so one would expect that Rondo (11.0 points and 8.3 assists per game) could do the same.
Mike Felger doesn't think the Celtics should get so wrapped up in what they're getting back in the trade because ridding themselves of Rondo would also help them lose games. And losing games equals a more favorable draft position in the lottery, so that's something that must be taken into consideration as well.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 20th at 3:00pm EST.
Listen below for the full discussion:
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