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UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: The Mavericks, barring a disaster, won't give up that first round pick until 2016.
Sources: Protections on the 2015 first-round pick Dallas sent Boston: Protected 1-3 and 15-30 in 2015; 2016-2020 protected to No. 7.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 19, 2014
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Welcome to Dallas, Rajon Rondo. The trade for Boston's star point guard is on pace to finish Thursday night in a package that included Brandan Wright, Jameer Nelson, Jae Crowder, a future first and a future second, according to Marc Stein of ESPN and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo. The Mavericks also acquire Dwight Powell, a rookie drafted with the no. 45 overall pick last summer.
Rondo's having a down year, averaging eight points on career lows 39.9 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from the free throw line. But he still shines in the other aspects of his game, averaging 10.6 assists per game and a career high 7.5 rebounds.
Ask anyone, and they'll tell you the Mavericks' biggest weaknesses are defensive rebounding and perimeter defense. While Rondo is still recovering from an ACL he tore in Jan. 2013 (while you can play after a year, it usually takes two before a player fully heals) and his defense might not be quite what it used to be, there's no doubt Rondo immediately helps the Mavericks improve in both areas.
How Rondo fits into the offense is a little murkier, but there's no doubt his pass-first mentality will help a Mavericks team loaded with weapons. Any problems that arise would come when Rondo has to play off the ball, which will have to happen for Monta Ellis to continue to remain effective. Rondo's still a very poor shooter, hitting 24 percent on 1.4 attempts this season. However, the Mavericks wouldn't have made the trade if Rick Carlisle didn't think he could figure it out.
Rondo is a free agent next offseason, and will join Ellis and Tyson Chandler as targets the Mavericks will need to re-sign. The Mavericks will likely try to re-sign all three of those come next season.
So Rajon Rondo, Dallas Maverick. What do you think of that?
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