NBA Rumors: Latest on Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and More
Trade talks and free-agent acquisitions aren't plentiful just yet on the NBA scene, but there are a few interesting rumors floating around. One former Boston Celtic and the team's current star are the primary subjects of discussion.
The immediate question is: Will Rajon Rondo finish the season as a member of the historic franchise? It's too early to tell, but it's safe to assume his name will again be a hot one when the trade deadline rolls around.
Per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the suddenly desperate Los Angeles Lakers will likely be eyeing Rondo in free agency this offseason. Mannix writes:
"There is one player who makes sense in L.A. next season: Rajon Rondo. Several rival executives believe the Lakers will make a strong run at Rondo next summer, and it’s easy to see why. Rondo is young (28), plays a critical position and shares the same win-at-all-bleeping-cost attitude as [Kobe] Bryant. The Celtics are rebuilding and have a young playmaker in Marcus Smart, which may limit their desire to hand Rondo max money.
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Rondo has been playing out of his mind this season. He went from being questionable to play because of an injury to performing at an All-NBA level through the team's first four games. Granted, the Celtics are still just 1-3, but Rondo is definitely doing his part.
He's nearly averaging a triple double with nine points, nine rebounds and 12.5 assists per game. The Lakers could use a player capable of filling a stat sheet like that. Mannix makes a great point as it pertains to Rondo being a competitive and stylistic match with Bryant:
Rondo is clearly a pass-first point guard, while Bryant is and will forever be a shoot-first guard. There should be no issue regarding touches. Both men are insanely competitive, thus there would be a mutual respect.
In the prime of his career, Rondo is good enough to provide Bryant with a running mate during his final years in L.A., and young enough to remain a cornerstone of the team after The Mamba has departed.
It sounds like a match made in hoops heaven.
Ray Allen to Chicago Might Not Be Necessary
Would the Chicago Bulls seriously consider bringing a player like Ray Allen into the fold midway through the season. According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Tribune, they would. Johnson writes:
"The Bulls have stayed in contact with Allen’s representatives to see if he will play this season. If he chooses to, they’d certainly add another shooter."
Without a question, Allen can still provide a contending team a lights-out shooter and veteran presence. The question for the Bulls would be: Whose minutes would he take?
Right now, the Bulls look to be the deepest team in the NBA. At 4-1, Chicago is in a three-way tie for the best record in the Eastern Conference with the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has nine players who are averaging at least 17 minutes per game, and that doesn't include rookie Doug McDermott, who is playing 14.2 per contest.
It seems guys are settling into their roles. Starting shooting guard—and pending restricted free agent—Jimmy Butler has been a man possessed. He's playing a little less than his usual haul of minutes, but at 38.7 ticks per night he's still barely leaving the floor.
He's also leading the team in scoring at 19.7 points per game.
As low maintenance as Allen is, there would still have to be some concern about disrupting chemistry. That's especially the case if the team continues to shine. We'll see if injury or the temptation to add a future Hall of Famer causes the Bulls to reach for the 39-year-old legend.
Well, What About John Lucas III?
The Bulls have been the masters of re-igniting the careers of miniature scoring point guards. Nate Robinson, D.J. Augustin and John Lucas III all had outstanding seasons as Chicago's mini spark plug. Injuries to Derrick Rose over the last three seasons helped to expand the role of all three with the team.
JL3 is currently without a team. Per Real GM, which cited league sources, he may be interested in returning to the Windy City.
Per Real GM, Lucas' agent Bernie Lee said:
"John owes a tremendous amount of his value in the NBA to the opportunity Chicago's front office gave him there initially. Over time, it's become clear that Gar Forman has a unique ability to find value in obscure places: He signed John out of China, and he might be the best in the NBA at this. In some ways John was at the beginning of this.
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If Rose is healthy—and that's a big "if" considering he has already missed two games with sprained ankles—the Bulls' point guard situation is crowded. Rose is currently being expertly backed up by the team's newest small-ball wizard, Aaron Brooks.
When it's all said and done, Brooks may just be the best that has ever played the role for the Bulls. He's pouring in 11 points per game, but also dishing 4.4 assists.
Veteran Kirk Hinrich also puts in time at point guard and he's having an excellent season thus far. Captain Kirk is scoring 11 per game and, most importantly, he's shooting 39 percent from three-point range.
Throw in E'Twaun Moore and JL3 might be lucky to simply suit up for Chicago. Obviously, an injury to Rose or any of the aforementioned players could change all of that. Chicago would be wise to keep JL3 on standby.
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