The Dallas Mavericks look even better on paper after trading for Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo on Thursday. Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and coach Rick Carlisle all spoke out about the blockbuster trade and what they expect to see from the league-leader in assists.
It cost Dallas a first-round pick, a second-round pick and three rotational players, but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban finally landed a big-name player after years of trying. The Rondo deal was completed Thursday night, giving Dallas an upgrade on defense and on the boards.
Less than a day after the trade, Rondo's new teammates weren't shy about sharing their excitement.
"Anytime you have a chance to grab a top point guard in this league, you got to go for it. I think he's a competitor, a warrior. He plays hurt. He's a winner, so he brings a lot of great things," Nowitzki said, via ESPN. "... I think he's showed in his career that he's a fierce, fierce competitor. In the West, that position is as loaded as it gets, so he's going to have his hands full every night, and I think he's going to look forward to that.
"As we've seen throughout his career, when the competition gets higher, he raises his level and he's at his best in playoff and big-time games. That's exactly what you want. On a team that has aspirations to go high and play deep in the playoffs, you need a guy who gets better as it gets later in the year."
Chandler seemed particularly happy for what Rondo brings on defense.
"Of course he's known for his defense and he'll bring that intensity," Chandler said. "He'll shake some things up for us, which will be good. We're going to need it, especially in the Western Conference, the type of guards that we face on a nightly basis."
One thing to watch for is how the backcourt situation works out. Rondo will be paired alongside Monta Ellis, who's also a ball-dominant guard. Nowitzki didn't think it would be a problem, Carlisle sounded optimistic everything would eventually gel.
"You make a major trade, the dynamics are going to change, but I view Rondo as an extremely resourceful guy with a lot of ability," Carlisle said. "He's a guy that love winning. We'll figure it out. I'd rather be charged with the task of figuring it out with guys of that competitiveness and ability level."
Rondo's first chance to see action as a Maverick is on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.
