Rajon Rondo Traded to the Dallas Mavericks

It has been reported that the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to send Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, a future first-round pick, and a future second-round pick to the Boston Celtics in return for four-time all-star point guard Rajon Rondo.

Let that sink in, Mavs fans. Sure, it hurts to lose Wright and to a lesser extent Crowder. But when a championship-caliber point guard becomes available the trigger has to be pulled.

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The bench definitely took a hit, but the Mavericks now sport possibly the best starting unit in the league with Rondo, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tyson Chandler.

He is a huge upgrade over Jameer Nelson defensively, an area of weakness for the Mavericks, and will help out immensely in the rebounding department. He’s averaging an absurd 7.5 rebounds from the point guard spot this season.

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He doesn’t provide any floor-stretching capabilities, but is a nightmare for opposing defenses when operating in this little thing the Mavericks like to run called the pick-and-roll. Those double picks set by Chandler and Nowitzki where Chandler rolls to the rim and Dirk pops just became a whole lot deadlier with Rondo. After all, he’s made Tyler Zeller look like an all-star at times.

Dec 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 105-87. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Now, to be fair, there are some concerns. Can Rondo and Monta share the ball? Where does Parsons fit in? Ellis has been his most effective with the ball in his hands, and Parsons has played his best basketball in December after floundering as mostly a spot-up shooter the first month of the season.

Rondo will dominate the ball, can those two adjust?

And Wright was the Mavericks’ only quality backup big man. But it’s safe to say Donnie Nelson isn’t done making moves and Wright was a necessary casualty. Jermaine O’Neal and Emeka Okafor are free agents, and Kevin Garnett is reportedly available in a trade. None of them will be as good as Wright, but they’ll do.

There will be some necessary adjustments from everyone, perhaps even some early struggles. But Rick Carlisle is most likely in the lab, salivating at the thought of having a top-flight point guard on the roster, and figuring out how to make it work. He’s as good a coach as we have in the NBA, so count on him finding a way.

Whatever happens from this point on the Mavericks are a better team than they were yesterday. They may not win the championship with Rondo, but they definitely weren’t winning it without him.