NBA Trade Speculation: Boston Celtics Have Justification to Trade Rajon Rondo

Rumors have started to swirl around Rajon Rondo and his possible departure from the Boston Celtics. While a deal for Chris Paul has lost a little steam based on contract issues, many deals still remain active and more could pop up.

The Indiana Pacers have shown some interest in acquiring the two-time NBA All-Star, but as of now this still seems unlikely without a third team.

With a shortened offseason due to the lockout, Boston should not feel pressure to make an immediate deal to ship their point guard. The Celtics are currently serious contenders for another run to the NBA Finals, and Rondo in no way hampers that.

However, there is plenty of merit if Boston decides to trade Rondo now, but only time will be able to see just how things unravel.

Boston Will Not Contend for Long with Current Core

When Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined the Boston Celtics in 2007, it was clear they had expectations arguably higher than any team in NBA history. After winning a championship alongside Paul Pierce in the 2007-08 season, Boston has yet to find the same glory ever since.

Don't get me wrong: In a shortened 66-game season the Celtics should be considered a top-three contender in the East.

However, the question remains: Where do they go after this season?

The Big Three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett are chugging downhill as far as ability, as they are on the wrong side of being in their respective primes. With that said, it's also possible we could see at least one play their last season in 2010-11.

Rondo works great with the current team he has, but it's nowhere near certain that he could lead a competitive team without a functional Big Three.

To Secure a Brighter Future

With the aforementioned Boston core coming to a inevitable downfall, the Celtics must do what is best for a competitive future. Rondo plays a major role in Boston's success, but could be the biggest key to remaining a competitive team for years to come.

Boston has plenty of options in the shortened offseason, including re-signing Jeff Green and Glen Davis, but could be best suited completing a blockbuster deal to shake things up.

Even if the Celtics decide to keep Rondo for one more year to take another legitimate shot at a championship, it's slowly becoming clear that he is not the point guard of the future for Boston.

Could Boston still be in the running for another elite point guard via trade?

Or could the Celtics even trade Rondo for future picks and valid building pieces?

Not that it should happen, but the theory does carry a lot of logic.

His Trade Value Will Get No Higher

What you see right now from Rajon Rondo is pretty much what you will get for the rest of his prime years.

Rondo is a fast point guard who uses his quick hands to be a top-notch defender. He has the ability to create turnovers and has gained a reputation of being a lockdown player defensively.

While Rondo possesses some solid passing ability, most recently averaging 11.2 assists a game, he's not going to get any better as an overall player.

Rondo has still never developed a reliable jumper and has failed to hit it at a consistent level. He is still also prone to turning the ball over at a high rate as well as a liability from the free-throw line.

As it stands now, Rondo is arguably a top-tier point guard in the NBA. However, he doesn't have a much higher ceiling than we have already witnessed.

With more and more elite point guards coming in the league every year, the market for a player like Rondo could decrease based on availability of talent.

So should the Boston Celtics consider trading Rajon Rondo? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!