Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Attitude Issues Make Moving Rajon Rondo Only Option

Rajon Rondo is one of the NBA's most dynamic young point guards. However, talent alone is not enough to save his spot on the Boston Celtics now that his attitude has become a major problem. Therefore, the team has no other option but to move him before the trade deadline.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports that Rondo's name is being floated into the market with two weeks left to make deals:

"

An ESPN.com report said the Celtics have decided to trade Rondo after his attitude and personality have become too burdensome for the organization. An NBA source told the Globe the Celtics aren’t trying to dump Rondo but his name is being mentioned in deals, similar to the way it was when the team made a play for Chris Paul in December.

"

In the past, trading Rondo never seemed to make sense. With an aging roster and very few young pieces to lead the way into the future, Rondo appeared to be the perfect building block. Dynamic point guards like him don't come around often.

With that being said, those previous rumors make a lot more sense now that his attitude problems have become too much to handle. The 26-year-old Kentucky product has always seemed to have a moody disposition, but these reports take it to another level.

If the Celtics, who have those aforementioned unanswered questions about their future, are willing to give up on Rondo simply because of his locker room demeanor, there's obviously a major issue.

As is almost always the case in sports, however, talent trumps personal problems. If a player is able to pack the stat sheet, different teams are always going to give him a chance. That means the trade market should still be pretty deep for Rondo.

There's no denying Rondo's playing ability. He's averaging a career-high 14 points per game to go along with 10 assists and five rebounds. He regularly flirts with triple-double games and is one of the league's most dangerous players on the fast break.

Based on skill alone, he would fall into the untouchable category. However, this issue has developed into something so much more. The Celtics are 17-17, and clearly the front office believes that record would be a lot better without Rondo's presence.

The constant trade rumors floating over his head like a rain cloud have likely played a role in his disgruntlement, so a separation is probably the best thing for both sides.

It's impossible to say if trading Rondo would actually improve the Celtics, especially since trade negotiations are just kicking off and no potential deals have been reported, but Boston likely views the entire situation as addition by subtraction.

Getting Rondo's negative influence off the roster and adding a couple of pieces in his place is better than sticking with the status quo. And that makes sense. The Celtics have too much talent to be hovering around .500, so change is needed in the near future.

Parting ways before things get even more ugly is the best option for everybody involved. The Celtics can get started on what they hope will be a strong second-half run and Rondo can get a fresh start, preferably out of the media spotlight.

There's always risk involved when moving a player with as bright of a future as Rondo, but he's left Boston with no other option.