The biggest name on the trading block as of right now is Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics. Rondo will become an unrestricted free agent this summer with many believing he’ll leave Boston in search of a chance to contend for another title.
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With the Celtics drafting Marcus Smart and having multiple draft picks in the years to come, as the result of trades with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, there’s no better time for Boston to get what they can for Rondo.
Although all signs point to Rondo’s eventual departure, GM Danny Ainge seems to be ready to hold onto the face of the franchise, but rival executives believe he has to pull the trigger, according to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck:
Rival executives say that Ainge has been firm in his stance that Rondo will not be dealt. But many of those same executives believe that Ainge has to trade Rondo, to avoid losing him for nothing next summer.
“They’re definitely bravely saying they won’t trade him at this point,” said one general manager, who nevertheless added, “I definitely think it’s the right thing to trade him. I think Danny knows it.”
The Celtics are in a similar position the Lakers were dealing with a few years back with Dwight Howard. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year ultimately chose to sign with the Houston Rockets in free agency after one season in Los Angeles, leaving the Lakers with nothing.
Trade rumors circulated involving Howard before the deadline during the 2012-13 NBA season, but Lakers brass was reluctant to make a deal. GM Mitch Kupchak and company held out hope of convincing Dwight to stay. Obviously, not trading Dwight didn’t turn out in their favor.
As for Rondo, teams around the league, including the Lakers, are rumored to be showing interest in landing the four-time All-Star. The Rockets are also in the running with Houston hoping to team him up with Dwight and James Harden.
It would be a risky move for any team to trade for Rondo with the star point guard able to leave in free agency next summer. Despite that fact, teams will likely continue to show interest in the one-time NBA champion with Los Angeles being a potential destination in a trade or free agency.
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