Time to Rebuild in Boston?

Multiple reports have surfaced indicating the availability of Rajon Rondo, the Boston Celtics all-star point guard, according to ESPN.com and NBC Sports Talk.  The rebuilding process seems inevitable in Boston, but the team can be improved without it.

The Boston Celtics had one of the most disappointing starts to the season.  Their record currently stands at 17-17 and are currently eighth in the eastern conference.  For a team that contended for an NBA title last year, they have shown their age.  Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have both missed multiple games this season and it seems that the condensed schedule is wearing on them. Ray Allen has been a consistent shooter, but they need more from a star then just shooting.  Garnett, Allen and Pierce, the 'Big 3', have proved that they cannot be the core of a contending team anymore.
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The players that made up the original ‘Big 3’ should be the focus of any trade talks, but instead the talks have revolved around Rondo.   Rondo is currently the Celtic's best player and he many years left in him.  He is only 26 years old and has a passing ability that only few in the game possess today.

The Celtics seem to have everyone on the roster available, but Rondo seems to be the most rumored.  Celtic management should use Rondo as the center piece to the team’s future and build around him.

The team’s problem currently is scoring the basketball. They do not have a player that always demands a double-team.  There are some players available at the deadline that can fill this void: Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis and others that could jump start the Celtics.  The feeling in the front office is that the scoring woes could be caused by Rondo due to his inability to shoot the basketball from the perimeter.

Rondo needs to improve his jumper to be considered one of the top five point guards in the league.  However, even though this problem persists, he is still in the conversation.  His flaw may even be over exaggerated due to the lack of that scorer and with one Rondo could quickly escalate into the elite.

The Celtics built their team a few years ago by acquiring key talents through trade.  This philosophy ultimately won them an NBA championship a couple of years ago.  They should use the same model and trade the older players for players that may not necessarily be stars, but could contribute.  That way they do not necessarily start from scratch and it may make their team even better.

Management seems intent on trading away all of their talent and then over time acquire new talent that could replace it. This strategy is counter productive when they already have a young talented player like Rondo. that could only get better.