The Boston Celtics have a number of free agent targets this offseason and along with that they may deal with Rajon Rondo trade rumors, as well as reports involving Jeff Green, Kris Humphries and Jared Sullinger after drafting Marcus Smart and some names Brad Stevens could chase include Chandler Parsons, Gordon Hayward or Isaiah Thomas.
The Celtics have long been mentioned in trade rumors involving Rondo, as he is their best player and is coming up to contract extension time and if they can't work out a deal, he could be gone. Danny Ainge has said that he does not want to trade Rondo and that could lead through this year until next season. According to MassLive.com, Rondo asked for a $100 million contract extension and that could be out of the range for the Celtics and could eventually lead to him getting traded.
Ainge spoke about draft pick Marcus Smart and while he is a point guard, Ainge said he expected Rondo and Smart to play together, signaling that he is not looking to trade him. Ainge could change his mind later on and during next season if he is not under a contract extension, Rondo's name will come up once again. Rondo is one of the most dynamic guards in the league and Stevens has given him high praise since coming back from his injury last year and while he wasn't totally back to form, he looked good in the 30 games that he played, averaging over 10 points and nine assists per game and now he is looking to have a full healthy season in 2014-15.
Hayward is an interesting option for the Celtics, as he is expected to get a major contract and he is the former player of Brad Stevens, who coached him at Butler. The Celtics drafted Marcus Smart and James Young and now they could look at adding Hayward after he had another solid season with the Jazz, averaging over 15 points with five rebounds and five assists. The Jazz are expected to give him a max deal or close to it and the Celtics could be in the mix to sign him. Reports also have the Phoenix Suns interested in a deal for Hayward, as they have some of the most cap space in the league.
Parsons could be a good fit here as well, as he is a good shooter and scorer and could play well off Smart and Rondo. Parsons is a restricted free agent and the Rockets are trying to keep him, but they may have to let him go if they sign Carmelo Anthony or another big name free agent. Parsons was a second round pick and he has value for the Rockets, but he may cost a bit on the market since he is an RFA. Teams like the Timberwolves, Lakers and Miami Heat also could be interested in his services. The Celtics also could look at Lance Stephenson on the market along with Greg Monroe and if they make trades they could acquire some more cap space to use this summer.