Birthday Thanks to the Thunder & Pistons for Rondo

Rajon Rondo turns the big 25 today and we're lucky to have him in running the show in Boston for the next several years. Everyone remembers how the Suns traded us Rondo on draft night (to save money and then wasted a boat load on Marcus Banks), but two more times after that we almost lost Rondo. Once was in the Summer of 2007, when Danny Ainge was offering the Thunder (then the Sonics) the #5 pick, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West for Ray Allen and a 2nd rounder. The Sonics countered that they wanted Rondo instead of West and Ainge said ok as long as the Celtics also get Robert Swift. Thankfully the Sonics decided they didn't want to part with Swift and settled on Delonte.

Then after being the starting point guard on the 2008 Championship squad and leading the KG-less 2009 team through the playoffs (Most likely beat the Orlando Magic if Lewis isn't on HGH), Ainge instead of locking up the young floor general, tested the trade market. Rondo made it known he'd sign for 5 years and 50 million, but Ainge was hesitant to give him that deal. He offered the Pistons Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen for Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince, and it was widely reported that Pistons GM Joe Dumars laughed at the offer and immediately declined.

After that, Rondo went into the 2009/2010 season as a pending free agent, but the Celtics were able to sign him just before the deadline for extensions (they gave him 5/55 or five million more than he was willing to settle for a few months earlier). This contract now looks like a bargain for the Celtics and Rondo's future is in Boston .

Some teams get lucky to get a star by winning the NBA lottery. Other teams make shrewd trades. In Rondo's case it was a shrewd trade by Ainge to get him, but poor decisions by the Thunder and Pistons that allow us the privilege of watching Rondo every game night for the next several years. Happy 25th Birthday Rajon and thank you Joe Dumars and Sam Presti (Sonics/Thunder GM) for not wanting him enough (Oh yeah, and Danny you should be very thankful as well that they turned down the offers. Not even going to mention your Al Jefferson and a #1 for Robert Swift offer. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good I guess).

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