OT:Pacers talk with Celtics about Rondo deal

[85Bears4life]

Pacers talk with Celtics about Rondo deal - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

As Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge aggressively pursues possible deals for Rajon Rondo(notes), the Indiana Pacers have emerged as an intriguing suitor for the point guard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

For the past few days, Pacers officials – and third-party surrogates – have been making calls and gathering information and insight into Rondo’s reputation as a teammate and leader, sources said.

The Pacers and Celtics have discussed the preliminary framework of a deal, but two sources said Indiana would need a third team to provide Boston with the talent it wants to do a deal. The Celtics are likely trying to gather the necessary pieces to make a bid for Ainge’s ultimate target: New Orleans point guard Chris Paul(notes), sources said.
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It was unclear if the Pacers had begun to reach out to broaden discussions, but there was an expectation they would do so.

The Celtics have been gauging Rondo’s trade value for more than a year, and have held discussions with teams about him across the past few trade deadlines and NBA drafts. There have long been divides within Boston’s front office, coaching staff and locker room about Rondo. He can be moody, difficult and stubborn, and several league sources were dubious if the Pacers’ young coach, Frank Vogel, would have the stature to deal with Rondo.


Boston could be trying to gather players to make a more attractive bid for Paul, sources said. New Orleans has shown no interest in a deal that would include Rondo and any combination of Celtics teammates. Yet, New Orleans GM Dell Demps is determined to get maximum value for Paul, if it’s clear the point guard sees his future elsewhere. Demps has no desire to simply let Paul walk away as a free agent to New York.

Most teams in the league are engaging New Orleans about Paul, whose intentions are to get to the New York Knicks as a free agent in the summer of 2012. Paul does have some history in Oklahoma City, having played there with the Hornets in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but the Thunder have resisted dialogue on a Paul-for-Russell Westbrook(notes) deal, sources said.

The Thunder are prepared to make Westbrook a substantial contract offer – probably a maximum deal – in the near future.

 

[WindyCity7]

also the nets reached out to the magic & put lopez & turk on the table for d12

 

[nwfisch]

Noah, Deng and as many 1sts as I could throw to get Howard.

 

[Glide2keva]

Please make this happen so Rose can abuse Ronho four times a year instead of 3.

 

[bleacherbum54]

we can talk all we want we dont have the assets to get him IMO.

 

[zack54attack]

lol Pacers.

 

[WindyCity7]

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that six teams have shown interested in unrestricted free agent Caron Butler.
Those teams are the Nets, Clippers, Bulls, Heat, Spurs and Knicks. There's certainly a chance that Butler will re-sign with Dallas, but a return to Miami is also a possibility. Either way, we expect Butler to join a contender, and as a result, odds are he'll be playing somewhat of a complimentary role. Last year's hollow 15.0 ppg is a reasonable template for what to expect from the 31-year-old this season.

 

[HeavyD]

we can talk all we want we dont have the assets to get him IMO.

A lot of young raw talent is what we have. Personally, after seeing how Collison played down the stretch of the season I am not sure I would prefer Rondo.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

If the Pacers get David West in free agency, that will probably propel them into the top 4 in the East.

 

[Glide2keva]

Indy is going to be scary this year regardless.

 

[WindyCity7]

Indy is going to be scary this year regardless.

:yep:

 

[Glide2keva]

This is why I say Miami has a short window to win. They aren't going the flat out best team every year because other teams are right behind them.

The Bulls split 8 games and they were in all of them. The only blowout came from the Bulls, and they could've won each game they lost. Other teams are getting better in the East and the West is going to be stronger.

 

[Diddy1122]

Right now, the East is not that strong. Other than us & Miami, no one is even close to a championship contender in the East. Indy has some good young talent that will improve & possibly become the new Atlanta. Atlanta is going nowhere fast & will lose Crawford, who was a big part of their success of the last few seasons. Boston is on it's last leg & looking to trade their only good young player. Orlando is toast once Howard leaves & NYC, who knows if they will get it together. If Paul ends up there, then they are championship contenders.

This wouldn't be a good deal for Indy imho. They'd be giving up ALOT to get a guy who can't score.

 

[Crystallas]

we can talk all we want we dont have the assets to get him IMO.

Maybe, maybe not. Remember, this is the same team that traded Perkins for Jeff Green.

 

[houheffna]

LOL at all these teams nipping on Miami's heels...I don't see it. The Bulls are a player away from beating them, but how do they get that player? Miami, with the big 3 can be a juggernaut for the next 3 or 4 years...at least.

 

[Anytime23]

LOL at all these teams nipping on Miami's heels...I don't see it. The Bulls are a player away from beating them, but how do they get that player? Miami, with the big 3 can be a juggernaut for the next 3 or 4 years...at least.

There you are. I just mentioned you in another thread.

I agree though the Bulls arent far away. How they get the player is the question. The depth would have to take a hit but im ok with that.

 

[Uman85]

The Pacers are a player away from beating Miami as well. All they need is Peyton Manning.

 

[Deng Defense Force]

Indy is going to be scary this year regardless.

One hit wonders.

Unless they get David West as Rami suggested.

Although I do have to admit they did get robbed by the refs when we played them in the playoffs.

 

[HeavyD]

One hit wonders.

Unless they get David West as Rami suggested.

Although I do have to admit they did get robbed by the refs when we played them in the playoffs.

How can you say one hit wonders when all the players we are doing it with are young players. We are gonna keep developing and getting better.

 

[bleacherbum54]

One hit wonders.

Unless they get David West as Rami suggested.

Although I do have to admit they did get robbed by the refs when we played them in the playoffs.

we wont be scary this year unless we get really lucky via trade or FA. We will likely make the playoffs but we wont be scary. But in a few years if Paul George develops we should become a pretty good team. I just wish Granger was a little younger he will be getting up there by the time these young kids develop.

I wish we would of tanked the past 5 years like we should of. If we did we would likely have a top team right now. For some reason the FO and former coach would do the opposite of tank. We would finish the season strong and move from a top 5 pick to a 10-15 pick which has been really frustrating.


you can call us one it wonders because we only got in the playoffs cause the East sucks. We weren't a good team last year we didn't have a winning record.

I think the Bucks are gonna be really improved this year.