The Boston Celtics may finally be prepared to trade Rajon Rondo.
While Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has maintained for weeks that he is not actively shopping Rondo, Sam Amick of USA Today reports that the Celtics have had discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks regarding a potential trade for Rondo.
The Lakers reportedly made a formal offer for Rondo, but Ainge shot it down. According to Amick, LA offered Jordan Hill and a first-round pick for Rondo and swingman Jeff Green.
Both the Rockets and Mavericks could both use help at point guard as well. Jameer Nelson has not played well for the Mavs, averaging just 7.3 points and 4.1 assists per game. The 32-year-old veteran is shooting just 44 percent from the field, and Rondo would clearly be an upgrade.
Houston’s Patrick Beverley has battled injuries this season, but he has played 40 or more minutes in three of the Rockets’ past four games. He is nowhere near as effective as Rondo at commanding an offense.
Rondo, 28, tore his ACL in January 2013. He has finally appeared to be back to full strength this season and is averaging 10.8 assists per game.
We have already seen what Rondo can do with talent around him. The problem for the Celtics is he is not a great scorer. Rondo was at his best when he was surrounded with star talent like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. It’s reasonable to assume he would be just as productive alongside players like Dwight Howard, James Harden, Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and so on.
Was the little meeting Rondo and Kobe had earlier this month more than just two friends getting together for a meal? It’s quite possible.
In all likelihood, Ainge is trying to see if he can get two first-round picks for Rondo. While that seems unlikely, we wouldn’t be surprised if Rondo was moved sooner rather than later.
