NBA Trade Rumors: Rajon Rondo Reportedly Being Shopped Around by Celtics

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has repeatedly said he's not trading franchise point guard Rajon Rondo, but a recent report from Hoopsworld suggests that Ainge is still trying to improve the team with his most valuable trade chip.

"

At the time, the Celtics were actively engaged in an attempt to acquire Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets, and were exploring all kinds of options as part of that effort. Since then, however, Rondo’s name has continued to come up in trade rumors, most recently involving Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. A player’s name doesn’t come up in ongoing rumors unless someone is making calls involving that player, and multiple front office sources have confirmed to HOOPSWORLD that the Celtics are initiating these talks.

"

So if the Celtics are starting these trade discussions, they are certainly looking to deal Rondo for the right price. Trading him only makes sense in the right scenario, and that is if the Celtics are getting some kind of point guard back in the deal.

The Celtics have to trade Rondo, and maybe a part of the "Big 3" in order to move the franchise forward. Only Rondo, Brandon Bass, Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley have contracts for next season on the Celtics, so in the summer, Ainge will have almost an entire roster to fill.

As good as Rondo is, his lack of a jump shot has still prevented him from taking the next step as an elite NBA point guard. The best way for Ainge to keep the Celtics as a playoff contender is to trade Rondo for multiple pieces, preferably a point guard and a big man.

Which teams could the Celtics work out a trade with?

There are a few teams that can accommodate the Celtics' needs, and one of them is the Utah Jazz. With point guard Devin Harris probably not the answer for the Jazz going forward, he is likely someone who can be acquired. Where the Jazz have a ton of depth is the front court, which is an area the Celtics desperately need help in.

The Jazz have some quality big men the Celtics would love to acquire, such as rookie Enes Kanter, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward. Those are some young and talented players the Celtics could build for the future with.

Another team is the Sacramento Kings, who have some young talent the Celtics would certainly find appealing in a trade. Forward DeMarcus Cousins did not have a good relationship with the team when Paul Westphal was in charge, but after he was fired, Cousins seems to be getting along better with new head coach Keith Smart.

Jason Thompson and JJ Hickson are two other forwards who are young and have potential that Ainge could seek in a deal. The Kings already have Tyreke Evans at point guard, but he's better suited as a scoring guard, and would excel with someone like Rondo in the back court with him.

Will Rondo be traded?

If the Celtics are really focused on trading Rondo, I would imagine that Ainge will pull the trigger at some point.

He is not afraid to make bold trades, and will do whatever he can to make the future of the team as bright as possible. 

The most attractive trade asset the Celtics have is Rondo, so if the team is going to make a major move for the present or the future, it would have to involve him.