Boston Celtics in great position with trades and Rajon Rondo’s return

Rajon Rondo makes his return against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night at the TD Garden

Rajon Rondo, the Celtics’ young superstar, is listed to make a return when their old rivals the Los Angeles Lakers come visiting at the TD Garden. He took the floor Friday night after spending nearly a year in rehab recovering from a torn ACL.

With his return the C’s rebuilding process seems to finally be taking shape after the two 3-team trade deals that the franchise was a part of.

There would be considerably lesser pressure on Rondo, as compared to other players who made a return from injury this season, to shine in his first game since he is not known to be a prolific scorer.

Danny Ainge, Director of Basketball Operations for the Celtics, has made a lot of changes to the roster as Rondo made the starting five. He has not only assembled a team which would help ease Rondo back into his groove, but also grabbed a number of draft picks for the following years in order to rebuild the Celtics back into a contender through the drafts.

Despite going through a tough stretch of nine straight losses, Celtic fans have high hopes for the future and trust Ainge and his methods, which have so far been absolutely spot on over the past couple of weeks.

How does Ainge and the team management’s decision to make changes to the roster help them? And what does the future hold for the C’s? Don’t look any further as we give you the breakdown.

Two multi-team trades come at the right time for the C’s

The trade for Bayless created not only cap space for the franchise but also bought a combo guard capable of leading the second unit and replacing rondo on the court

The franchise was a part of two 3-team deals over the past couple of weeks which has strengthened the roster and taken away the unnecessary pieces.

The most important aspect of these trades was their timing; both trades were made keeping in mind players who would be a perfect fit for the team when All-Star Rondo made his return.

In the first trade, they acquired forward Ryan Gomes from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who was waived the same day, and Jerryd Bayless from the Memphis Grizzlies in return for Courtney Lee and a 2016 second round draft pick.

This trade clearly sees the team wanting to have a good back-up point guard who can take control of the floor when the second unit is playing and so far Bayless has shown that he has the temperament to fill that spot perfectly.

The following week, the Celtics traded guards MarShon Brooks and Jordan Crawford to the Golden State Warriors, and in return received Joel Anthony, a 2015 first round pick and a 2016 second round pick along with cash considerations.

Its quite clear what the C’s have gained and achieved from this transaction. Not only did they obtain cash considerations, but two draft picks for two guards who would anyway play limited minutes following Rondo’s return.

How the trades helped the Celtics?

Draft picks, cash considerations, cap relief and a perfectly fit roster that can adapt to their point guard’s playing style, the Boston Celtics have certainly gained the most this transfer season so far.

Although Bayless’ combo-guard skills will help the team better than Lee, especially with the second unit, the trade was very evidently a cost cutting move. The team gave away a three year 16.7 million dollar agreement with Lee for Bayless, who cost them only 3.13 million dollars for a single year.

The second trade was on similar grounds of clearing cap room and acquiring as much as you can in return. Dealing Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks meant their salaries went off the books and cleared cap space for the Celtics as they only needed to deal with the 3.8 million dollars for forward Anthony.

This trade also underlined the fact that the team was favoring Rondo and Avery Bradley as the starting back court duo.

These trades come as huge bonuses for the team as they managed to clear cap space by trading unnecessary pieces and receive cash and future draft picks in return.

Stage set for Brad Stevens-Rajon Rondo to take over

The job of running the team might get simpler for Brad Stevens as Rondo makes a return to the rotation.

Brad Stevens is smiling and beaming with the roster he has at his disposal now, post the trades. He has an extra big man to play with and a star guard, who he shares great respect for and chemistry with, making his return after a year.

Now why would he be smiling?

Stevens coached the Butler University basketball team and they were among the leading defensive rebounders in the league and with the Celtics he has a number of players who can grab rebounds on both ends of the floor.

With the trade, another forward was added to the roster, another player who could help the rebounding numbers, in return for pieces Stevens might not have used once Rondo came into the rotation.

Superstar and coach must lead this young and inexperienced team and respect for each other followed by a bonding chemistry is a great couple of first steps.

“It was important for both of us to get off to a good start to get to know one another. This is his team, this is my team. Like I said, I’m very supportive of him, and he’s been very supportive of me.”-Rondo’s words on Stevens.

He has further mentioned that they are like best friends. For the future, over a long period of time, the coach and point guard duo would look to bring glory back to the most successful franchise in the NBA to show the fruits of a well masterminded rebuild.