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Rajon Rondo should be a big part of Celtics’ hope – Metro US

Rajon Rondo should be a big part of Celtics’ hope

It’s a little funny to hear Celtics fans and “NBA experts” say that the Celtics need to trade Rajon Rondo as soon as possible.

Why’s it funny? Two reasons:

1. You can get a better deal for him in the offseason, if in fact the Celtics are in fact hell-bent on trading him.

2. The talk of “not being able to build around” him is garbage – why can’t you build with a top five point guard with a reasonable contract?

Is Rondo a saint? No. But I challenge you to find any NBA star in this league that isn’t a prima donna or has a little attitude (Jeremy Lin excluded).

Would Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen jeopardize the ends of their careers dealing with a “stubborn” Rondo if the lemon wasn’t worth the squeeze? Would Doc Rivers have rejoined the Celtics this season after his contract was up if he was sick of Rondo? The answers are no.

Rondo is going to be a Celtic. The only way he won’t be is if the Celtics get knocked off their feet with an offer. But with every game Rondo shows up for, that scenario becomes less and less likely.

Yes, he needs to be more consistent – perhaps the biggest knock on his game – but putting the right players around him can make that happen.

Forget about Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. It just isn’t likely. You can hope, sure, and unless these players get dealt before the deadline, the C’s have the money – but why would those players come here?

There’s still a way to bring in talent for a shorter term. New Orleans’ Chris Kaman is no Dwight Howard, but the Celtics are desperate for a center, and Kaman fits the bill as an unrestricted free agent. Roy Hibbert is a restricted free agent, but could still be had if the C’s wanted him enough.

Portland’s Gerald Wallace has a player option, and is an athletic forward to pair with Rondo. Speaking of, Jeff Green should be back on a short-term deal with something to prove.

If you don’t burn your bridges with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, what’s wrong with bringing those two back on shorter money in a bench-type role if they’ll take it? Ray Allen has the type of game and build that will last for a few more years in the NBA, and Garnett has thrived this season playing in spurts.

Don’t forget the Celtics have two 2012 first round draft picks, in a field considered to be deep. There is hope, and Rondo should be a big part of that hope.