NBA Trade Rumors: Acquiring Rajon Rondo Would Make Pistons Serious Contenders

The Detroit Pistons have upgraded their roster this offseason, but acquiring Rajon Rondo would go a long way in making the team a serious contender.

Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reported that the Pistons are still interested in bring Rondo to Detroit despite acquiring Brandon Jennings in a trade this offseason. In fact, Washburn believes that Jennings could eventually be used to get Rondo in a trade.

Detroit isn't likely to compete with teams like the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls this season, but the Pistons would be taking a step in the right direction by finding a way to nab Rondo.

Forward Josh Smith was the first big piece to sign with the team this offseason. He averaged 17/5 points, 4.2 assists and 8.4 rebounds last season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Getting Smith was important for the franchise and that move could eventually lead to the Pistons bringing in stars to compete in the near future. 

Considering their current roster, the Pistons would likely finish no higher than sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe have shown great promise early in their careers. Drummond averaged 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as a rookie. Monroe averaged 16 points, 9.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks last season. They make a good duo at center.

Jennings is a very good player. He has averaged 17 points, 5.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds in his career. He has also shot over 81 percent from the foul line through four seasons and shot a career-best 37.5 percent from three-point range last season.

The 23-year-old can be an explosive scorer. He had 30 games with at least 20 points and recorded 11 double-doubles last season. He even had streak of four straight games with at least 10 assists, including an incredible 19 assists against the Toronto Raptors.

Jennings is three years younger than Rondo, but the Celtics star has turned into one of the game's best point guards.

Rondo hasn't played in a full season since the 2009-10 season, including missing the end of this past season with a torn ACL. However, he is an incredible athlete when healthy.

The Boston star has averaged 11.1 points, 8.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in his career. He is a great all-around player who recorded five triple-doubles and 17 additional double-doubles last season.

Rondo had a streak of 15 consecutive games with at least 10 assists last season and extended that run to 20 of 21 games overall. He gets his teammates involved and can put up big numbers when needed. He had 19 games with at least 15 points and had to get Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett involved in the scoring as well.

The biggest difference between the two point guards is offensive efficiency. Jennings shot nearly 40 percent from the floor while Rondo shot 48.4 percent from the field. Rondo has shot under 48 percent only twice in his career. Jennings has never shot above 42 percent.

While playing for Boston, Rondo has made the playoffs every season except for his rookie campaign. He has won an NBA championship and knows what it takes to win.

Now he is part of a rebuilding process in Boston and he should be more than willing to go to a team that already has pieces in place.

Rondo is a four-time All-Star and arguably the best defensive point guard in the game. He is one of the most versatile players in the league and can dominate a game like very few can.

Jennings is a good piece for now, but the Pistons would be much better with Rondo leading the way. He has experience playing with a talented big man, so he knows how to share the ball enough to win.

If Rondo can prove that he has fully recovered from his knee injury early in the season, the Pistons should pursue the point guard. A duo of Rondo and Smith would make Detroit a serious contender for years to come. 

All stats are courtesy of NBA.com