NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams Boston Celtics Could Deal Rajon Rondo to This Season
The 17-time NBA Champions of the basketball world have a lot of thinking to do. Over the last two seasons, the Boston Celtics have failed to meet expectations, and this year isn't showing much promise.
Ever since the departures of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers, the Celtics just haven't been title contenders. The only great player remaining from their championship team is point guard Rajon Rondo. Since last season, Rajon, a four-time NBA All-Star, has constantly been involved in trade rumors. There's no denying that Rondo is a great point guard, as he does average 8.4 assists per game.
However, the Celtics may want to consider trading Rondo this season so they can get value for the future. Rondo is entering the final season of his contract this year.
Here are five teams who the Celtics may want to consider making offers to:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving is a former No. 1 overall draft pick, but he's not as good of a passer as Rondo is. Rondo has averaged more than 11 assists per game in four of the last five seasons. Irving, on the other hand, averages just 5.8 assists per game. Irving is the more talented scorer, but the Cavaliers may be willing to trade scoring for passing and experience to satisfy LeBron James. Although both teams play in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics could get a lot of value in return for this potential trade.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are hurting right now, a lot.
Superstar Kevin Durant is still healing a fractured foot, and point guard Russell Westbrook is still out, as well. The Thunder have lost almost half their offense from last season, and head coach Scott Brooks is extremely limited. Trading for Rondo would obviously be a good short term solution for the Thunder, while the Celtics could get a lot back in return. Even when Westbrook does comes back, there's still no guarantee he will be fully healthy.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are playing like the worst team in the NBA this season so far. At 0-5, the Lakers are the only winless team in the Western Conference. Jeremy Lin is a talented point guard, but he may leave after this season because he has just one year remaining on his contract. Remember Dwight Howard? The Lakers and Celtics are the most fierce rivalry in the NBA, but sometimes, business comes first so long term success can be achieved. It would be interesting to see Rondo play for the team he faced twice in the NBA Finals.
4. New York Knicks
The Knicks front office is always involved in trade talks before the NBA trade deadline. Point guard Jose Calderon has yet to play this season because of a bad calf injury, and he is 33 years old. The Knicks and Celtics don't usually do a lot of big trades between each other because they both play in the Atlantic Division, but for the right price, anything is possible. Rondo doesn't always get along with teammates (Ray Allen), and trading him away for Calderon and draft picks could be the first step in rebuilding. The Knicks may be willing to offer Amar'e Stoudemire to the Celtics in a possible trade.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves already have a great point guard, Ricky Rubio. The Spain-born point guard is one of the best passers in the NBA, averaging 8.2 assists per game. The problem here is that Rubio isn't always satisfied with Timberwolves management, and he isn't a great scorer. In order to get value for Rubio, trading him away for another young talented point guard may be the best option on the table. Dealing Rubio to the Eastern Conference would also work in the Timberwolves favor, and Rondo should have no problem adjusting to their system.
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