Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 7:21pm

DALLAS DEALS FOR RONDO, TRADES WRIGHT

The Dallas Mavericks acquired guard Rajon Rondo and power forward Dwight Powell from the Boston Celtics for center Brandan Wright, guard Jameer Nelson, guard/forward Jae Crowder, a lottery-protected first-round draft pick in 2015 and a second-round draft pick in 2016.

What does it give the Dallas Mavericks
This trade makes Dallas a likely favorite to win the NBA's Western Conference, and possibly makes them the favorite for this season's NBA title. Rondo is a perfect fit in 'Big D', in that he's the NBA's current leader in assists per game. Surrounded by gifted scorers in Dallas (from {P Dirk Nowitzki} to {P Monta Ellis} to {P Chandler Parsons}), Rondo can make an already-dominant team that much better. The Mavs will miss the emerging Wright, but Rondo completes their stellar starting five and takes their offense to a whole new level.

What does it give the Boston Celtics
The Celtics are obviously in rebuilding mode and this trade works for them on several levels. Not only do they get impressive assets for Rondo (who is set for free agency this summer, so could have walked for nothing), but they open up the point guard position for rookie {P Marcus Smart} down the road. A few years from now Smart might be an all-star, but for now at least--assuming Boston keeps newcomer Nelson around awhile--he will probably continue to learn as a backup (now just without the pressure of a 'point guard controversy'). The true gem here for Boston is Wright, who has the tools to be an above-average starting NBA center soon.

Fantasy impact
On first impressions this deal would seem to lessen Rondo's fantasy value, but a closer look suggests his fantasy value actually improves in Dallas. Rondo's fantasy value isn't as a scorer, and while he may score even less now, his assists and steals totals (where his value usually lies) might reasonably increase. In Boston, Wright should see a boost in fantasy fortunes, although first the Celtics need to sort out their big-man rotation (which already includes similarly-promising players in {P Kelly Olynyk}, {P Jared Sullinger} and {P Tyler Zeller}). It's hard to see the fantasy values of Nelson or Smart changing much, since Nelson will probably start for Boston (as he did with Dallas). Powell likely gets a downgrade in sleeper status (since he's joining a team with a lot more talent ahead of him), while Crowder gets a boost in sleeper appeal (since he may soon push for more regular minutes on the rebuilding Celts).