Green Target: Chauncey Billups
My tattoo would become relevant again! |
How the Celtics could get him:
If Billups clears waivers the Celtics could use their MLE on Billups. Remember Billups would still be getting paid his $14 million contract owed to him by the Knicks, so whatever he can get on top of that is gravy. If a team claims him, they most likely would be doing so with the intent of then trading him. In this case the Celtics would have to offer a young player or draft pick to acquire Billups.
Pros:
Billups is a heady veteran point guard. You couldn't do any better than him as a backup. He has experience playing with multiple all-stars from his Detroit days. He's a very close friend and former teammate of KG. I've been a huge Rajon Rondo fan dating back to when most C's fans preferred Sebastian "Through the Fire" Telfair. I think the Celtics should be showing him love and not trying to trade him... BUT I don't run the Celtics. Danny Ainge does and he's been trying to trade Rondo for years (Robert Swift, Rodney Stuckey, Tyreke Evans to name three guys he's offered Rondo for in the past). So if Danny is set on trading Rondo, this allows insurance at the starting point guard spot and allows Danny the ability to trade Rondo for a Center, with the obvious #1 target being Dwight Howard. In my honest opinion a Billups, Ray, Pierce, KG, Howard starting 5 would be favorites to win the title (much more than a CP3, Big 3, JO starting 5. If you can't get Howard, Rondo could still fetch another very solid center.
Cons:
Not sure I can think of any cons, except if Billups is claimed by another team and the asking price in a trade is too hefty. Billups is old and has been getting injured more frequently in recent years, but he keeps himself in great shape.
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