Luck of the Irish
By Brian Booth
Jan 24, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the fourth quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. The New York Knicks won 89-86. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
On Thursday, June 26, the 2014 NBA Draft was held in Brooklyn. With the 6th pick, the Boston Celtics selected point guard Marcus Smart. My first thought upon the announcement of the selection; there goes Rajon Rondo. Rondo is without a doubt one of the best point guards in the NBA, and has been the subject of trade rumors as much as anyone else, if not more. While Celtics President and GM Danny Ainge has publicly denied Rondo’s availability in the trade market, most other GM’s believe he is indeed available for the right offer. With the Celtics drafting of Smart, Rondo might be more available than ever.
With free agency kicking off next week, one of the prime targets of the LA Lakers is forward Carmelo Anthony, who they are reportedly set to meet with. Anthony is good friends with Rondo, and the two have openly stated their desire to play together. Rondo went so far as to say he hoped the Celtics would be able recruit or trade for Anthony. Should the Lakers be successful in signing Anthony, that could lead to the acquisition of Rondo. How? I’m glad you asked…
The Lakers have been without a solid point guard for years (don’t get me started on Steve Nash). If Rondo is available, the Lakers could be in prime position to acquire him. With a successful Anthony signing, that makes LA more appealing to Rondo, and would likely commit long-term. Everyone who knows Danny Ainge knows how he loves to stock-pile youth and draft picks. The Lakers could make the offer of #7 pick Julius Randle, along with the $9 million expiring contract of Steve Nash. That would give the Celtics 2 top 10 players from this years’ draft, along with cap relief to go after free agents in 2015.
For the Lakers, Rondo would fill the already mentioned huge hole in the point guard position. He would also not be looked upon to shoot nearly as much, which has always been a problem for him, as he could freely distribute the ball and be play-maker for Anthony and Kobe Bryant. Now a core of Bryant, Anthony and Rondo might not be true championship material, but it would lay down a solid foundation for one.