NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge and More

The first few days of the 2013 NBA free-agency period has been an absolute whirlwind of action.

Many high-profile players have agreed in principle to join new clubs after the mandated moratorium on signings passes on July 10, while others have been involved in high-profile trades that will shake the league’s landscape to its core.

More deals seem to be on the horizon, so keep reading Saturday’s rumor roundup to get a glimpse at who could be on the move and what the latest trade buzz is surrounding some of the top players in the game.

Pistons Eyeing Rajon Rondo

The Detroit Pistons are looking to make a “splash” this summer. One of the ways they can accomplish this is by acquiring Boston Celtics superstar point guard, Rajon Rondo.

According to HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy, the Motor City-based franchise has already explored a possible trade with Beantown, but nothing has come to fruition as of Friday.

After the Celtics entered a full-scale rebuilding mode in the midst of the 2013 NBA Draft—when general manager Danny Ainge consented to trade Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets—Rondo became the last remaining vestige of the 2008 championship team.

The four-time All-Star, who is coming off a torn ACL but should be ready for the start of the season, has two years and $25 million left on his contract.

If the Pistons are truly attempting to get back in contention and make a playoff run in the wide-open Eastern Conference, adding a top-flight point guard like Rondo would be a great decision.

Should they acquire him and sign a marquee free agent, there is no doubt that this team could put together a respectable 2013-14 campaign and make the postseason for the first time since 2009.

Agency Attempting to Bring LaMarcus Aldridge to Chicago

The Chicago Bulls are going to be back in a big way next season, as Derrick Rose is primed for his triumphant return at the start of the 2013-14.

While the Bulls—on the strength of their defense and veteran know-how—nabbed the No. 5 seed and pushed into the Eastern Conference Semifinals last year, they have much higher aspirations with Rose in the lineup and want to be more than a token playoff team in 2014.

One possible way to ensure they can contend with the defending champion Miami Heat over the next few years is to secure another superstar.

Enter LaMarcus Aldridge, the Portland Trail Blazers big man who shares an agency with D-Rose.

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (behind pay wall), both Aldridge and Rose are represented by the same agency and the company is attempting to unite the two in Chicago.

While Aldridge is denying that he has requested a trade, the veteran forward could maximize his exposure and gain leverage when he becomes a free agent in 2015 by playing in the Windy City.

The move would make the Bulls a legit powerhouse capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Heat, but it seems it will cost too much to acquire his services.

Johnson notes that the Blazers would desire star center Joakim Noah and up-and-coming swingman Jimmy Butler to pry the 27-year-old away.

Unless the price comes down, Aldridge is likely staying in Portland.

 

Rudy Gay Staying Put for Now

The Toronto Raptors pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade prior to the 2013 deadline, acquiring Rudy Gay from the Memphis Grizzlies back in January.

Now it seems that another club has its sights set on Gay, as the Detroit Pistons have reportedly offered up Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva in exchange for the star swingman.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst notes new Toronto GM Masai Ujiri is attempting to clear cap space, and dumping Gay’s $37 million over two years could be part of that plan.

However, Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD notes that the Ujiri rebuffed the Pistons offer.

Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun added that the organization is fine holding on to its best player and will only consider moving Gay for a fair price.

Barring another suitor emerging with the willingness to give up some decent players and picks for the 26-year-old, its safe to assume that Gay will remain in Canada next season.