NBA Trade Rumors: Rajon Rondo for Deron Williams Swap Too Risky for Celtics

The hottest trade rumor in the NBA right now is undoubtedly the Boston Celtics' apparent desire to move point guard Rajon Rondo. They could certainly get a lot for Rondo, but dealing him for New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams is far too risky for the C's.

A source reportedly told Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald that Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul are all players the Celtics would consider trading Rondo for.

According to Murphy, the Thunder already turned down an offer of Rondo for Westbrook last season. Therefore, with Paul firmly entrenched in Los Angeles, the only scenario that makes any sense is Rondo to the Nets for Williams. While Williams is the superior player, Boston would have to be very sure about Williams signing an extension before acquiring him.

Williams can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season if he decides not to exercise his player option, and that seems quite likely at this point. Williams would be one of the biggest names on the market for sure, so it stands to reason that he would rather test the free agent waters than re-sign with the aging Celtics.

If such a trade is even a consideration for Boston, there must be a real issue with Rondo's attitude. There have been rumors dating back to his time at the University of Kentucky that he could be tough to deal with, but trading him for a pending free agent would definitely affirm that.

Rondo just turned 26 years old, he is a three-time All-Star, a two-time selection to the NBA All-Defense team and a former NBA Champion. On top of that, he is locked up through the 2014-15 season on a reasonable contract. All of that would seem to make Rondo quite attractive, but Boston may be willing to roll the dice.

Provided the Celtics offer the Nets Rondo for Williams straight up, there is no doubt in my mind that New Jersey would accept. Unless the Nets find some way to reel in Orlando Magic stud center Dwight Howard, all signs point to Williams testing the market. Rondo would be a slight downgrade, but at least he would be under the team's control for the foreseeable future.

As recently as last year, Boston was likely viewed as a marquee destination for free agents, but that is likely no longer true. If the Celtics were to deal Rondo for Williams, it would leave Williams with the "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Both Garnett and Allen are scheduled to become free agents, while all of them are nearing the end of the line.

There isn't a very bright future in sight for the Celtics, so it would honestly be silly for Williams to even consider signing an extension with them. Unless Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is insane or ignorant, he has to realize that the odds of keeping Williams in Boston are extremely slim.

While dealing Rondo has some merit to it since a good return can be had, the Celtics need to be smart about it. They need to get liquid assets in return, not a player who will serve as a rental before bolting.

There is no reason to think Williams will stick around, so there's no reason to trade for him.