Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Top Targets for Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is the biggest point guard name on the trade market, and with less than 24 hours until the conclusion of the NBA trade deadline, teams will certainly be calling the Boston Celtics about his availability.
Since GM Danny Ainge took Rondo's name out of speculation just yesterday, conventional wisdom suggests that he will remain a Celtic for a considerable amount of time. But, like most things, this has to be left to doubt, since his value is at an all-time high and the Celtics have long been in the market to shake their roster up.
Ainge will take calls on Rondo, as well as his original "Big Three" of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. While Allen seems the most likely to be coveted by other teams, pulling the trigger on a blockbuster deal for Rondo can't be out of the question until the 3pm Eastern deadline passes.
A major coop of talent and draft picks would have to be the price for a player in the class of Rondo, who is widely considered to be one of the top five point guards in the NBA.
I can see three teams actively harassing the phone line in the Celtic office, and here is a little bit of a preview to what those teams might give up to get the 26-year-old former All-Star.
Los Angeles Lakers
A Rondo for Pau Gasol swap has been discussed, but it seems unlikely to happen after the Lakers were unwilling to part with the Spanish forward.
My question is, why not, LA?
Gasol has two years and close to $38 million left on his deal after this season, and there is no question that Gasol has had help in becoming the player he is widely considered to be—a top-tier power forward.
He didn't do anything to warrant that conversation during his time with the Grizzlies. It took the trade to unite him with Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum before Gasol became all-world.
Since LA owes Bryant another $57 million over the next two seasons, why not free up some cap space to give him some additional help in the next two offseasons?
This seems like a no-brainer for the Lakers.
However, it's them, and not Boston, who appears reluctant to pull the trigger. Time will tell if that remains the same, but if GM Mitch Kupchak changes his mind, LA should pull it with this one.
Portland Trail Blazers
This is a destination for Rondo that hasn't gotten much press, but could be the one that nets the most talent and long-term solutions for the city of Boston.
Rondo is exactly the type of possession-controlling point guard that head coach Nate McMillan so desperately covets, and the Blazers have the offensive firepower to offer the Celtics something to help them score when Allen, Pierce and Garnett aren't on the floor.
Jamal Crawford has been the subject of trade rumors since the middle of January. Pairing him with Allen at times, or even allowing him to run the show could be the only real shot coach Doc Rivers has at turning this team into anything resembling the team that has been to the finals twice in the last four seasons.
Swapping Rondo, E'Twaun Moore and Mickael Pietrus for Crawford, Raymond Felton and oft-injured Greg Oden and myriad of first and second round selections works on paper.
The Celtics would still have their starting lineup, plugging in Felton for Rondo and adding an instant 12-15 points a night from Jamal Crawford to a second unit that struggles so mightily to score the ball.
Portland pairs Rondo with LaMarcus Aldridge to prepare for a run at the final three spots in the Western playoff picture.
Atlanta Hawks
This is my sleeper for getting Rondo.
It's well documented that Josh Smith wants out of the ATL, but what would it take for Boston to sneak in and nab the the All-Star snub?
If the answer included Rondo, many would balk at the proposed deal. But taking a closer look, Boston could make off like bandits in a deal for Smith that included Rondo.
They could ask for young guard Jeff Teague, throw in Marvin Williams AND add a first round draft pick (either this year's or next). Then, by dumping Jermaine O'Neal and never-used Sasha Pavolic, and you have the basis for a deal that could work for both sides.
This one is unlikely to happen, because Boston will see Rondo-for-Smith at the core of their findings and back away.
But since Garnett and Allen are free agents, they could have their forward of the future in Josh Smith. Pairing Teague with up-and-comer Avery Bradley might be an overall better package for the future as well.
Conclusion
If you believe Danny Ainge, Rondo isn't leaving Boston any time soon. If you don't, these are three teams that could make a late push to add him to the mix.
Either way, it's a privilege to watch Rondo put up the type of numbers only Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson used to, so as a basketball fan, wherever he plays I'll be watching.
