Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

You had to know this was coming. The timing and the modest return for a four-time All-Star may have staggered you a bit, but this has been a fait accompli from the time the Celtics were unable to even be a viable participant in the Kevin Love derby.

It was written here back in June that, “If the Celtics cannot get Love, they are planning to continue with the longer and more methodical rebuilding process — a process that would likely see Rajon Rondo traded.

…

It’s not that the C’s didn’t believe Rondo was being sincere with his public displays of affection to the organization and the city, but there was the knowledge that the team was heading for some rough months and almost certainly wouldn’t be significantly better by the end of June. According to sources who have dealt with the Celtics and Rondo, the club had come to the conclusion that it would be near impossible to compete when other clubs in far better competitive situations began to recruit him.

And — this is very important — the Celtics weren’t sure they wanted to get into a bidding situation for a player who will be 29 in February and may not be at the level the team needs when next it has a realistic chance to be a serious postseason participant.

Sources close to the situation were even tossing out a line expressing doubt about whether Rondo could “see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Boston Herald

Lots of columns out there explaining why the Celtics had to trade Rajon Rondo. I’ve held firm to the belief that the Celtics could have paid Rondo near max money and still built a team with him as part of the core. Notice I didn’t say build around Rondo.

That was until I read Steve Bulpett’s column. Here’s the rub, even though the Celtics could pay Rondo upwards of $25 million more than any other team, they weren’t 100% convinced he would re-sign. Part of the problem is the Celtics weren’t going to offer Rondo the full max contract ($105 million). I’m guessing it was more like $85 or $90 mil, a number much closer to what opposing teams would offer.

But here’s the point I hadn’t really considered. Had the Celtics re-signed Rondo and spent the next 2-3 years shaping the team into a championship contender, they feared he would be on the downside (age 32-33) if this team became a viable contender.

So when you weigh heavily those two factors, you realize Danny Ainge had to take the best offer, even if that offer was a pile of poo. It’s easy to say Danny Ainge could have waited until the February deadline, but he didn’t feel waiting was going to alter the return significantly. I feel confident that Ainge knew Rondo’s value on the open market. He’s only been taking trade calls for the past 5 years.

Now the Celtics will have a different focus by the deadline; move guys like Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, Marcus Thornton, Evan Turner, Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright and Gerald Wallace.

And in the offseason, Trader Danny will be armed with tens of millions in cap space and up to 12 1st round draft picks over the next 5 years. But that’s another column for another time.

Related links: SB Nation – It was finally time to trade Rondo |  ESPN Boston – Rebuild Reset: Analyzing the trade | Herald – Celtics ship Rondo to Dallas in mega deal |

Page 2: Brandan Wright highlight reel!

(This portion of the Dump brought to you by Chris Jones)

Absolutely no idea why someone chose this song for a highlight reel. Apart from shooting with a crazy-high field goal percentage this season (74.8%), Wright brings in 1.6 blocks per game — something the C’s desperately need. Allowing Wright to guard the paint should give Olynyk and Sullinger an easier time on the defensive end.

And consider this: Filtering for players who’ve played at least ten games this season, Wright and Zeller rank 1st and 6th in the league in field-goal percentage. Zeller’s number will probably drop without Rondo here to be his elixer, but it still gives Stevens options on offense.

As for Jae Crowder, here’s his brief scouting report from the Boston Globe:

A very poor man’s Kawhi Leonard. He’s got a great motor and a good combination of size and strength that makes him defensively versatile, particularly on the perimeter, but he isn’t much of a scorer. He isn’t a black hole on offense, though, and at 24, he’s got time to improve his shot and could fit well with a fast-paced offense. Crowder is a restricted free agent after the season.

For those who went to bed early last night with Rondo trade fatigue, know that the Celtics released Vitor Faverani. The deal brought them over the 15 man roster limit and the oft-injured Faverani was shown the door.

I leave you with this tweet which pretty much sums up the deal:

Another NBA exec on Rondo trade: “Hell of a discount for Dallas. Like finding a mint painting at a yard sale.”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) December 18, 2014

The rest of the links:

WEEI – Bidding adieu to Rondo, a wonderful weirdo | CSNNE – The new guys | Rondo’s legacy | Scalabrine – Celtics did pretty well | Basketball Insiders – Breaking down the Rondo trade |