The Boston Celtics have Rajon Rondo trade rumors to deal with this summer as the Houston Rockets and Kings have started to show interest in a deal and as that goes on, Danny Ainge is looking at the free agent market and a main target is Evan Turner along with names like Mo Williams, Jordan Crawford and Jameer Nelson as depth options for Brad Stevens.
The Celtics are coming off of a tough season and now they are looking to add some more depth on the bench, as ESPN and Boston.com are reporting that Evan Turner is a target. 1500 ESPN also reports that the Timberwolves are interested in the former number two pick, as he is coming off of a solid season after being traded from the Sixers to the Pacers. Turner's time with Indy was forgettable, but he had a career high 16 points per game with Philly and now he could be an option with the Celtics.
SI.com writes that Jameer Nelson and Mo Williams also could be in the mix, but right now Turner is the main priority. Jordan Crawford is also on the market and the Warriors have been interested in looking for a sign and trade with him. The Celtics have some money to spend and they are focusing on Turner as their top free agent option.
Last season the Celtics ranked 26th in the league in points per game and that is why they are looking at offensive players for depth behind some of their younger stars and Nelson or Turner could be solid additions. The team was 13th in defense and 22nd in assists per game, but that was likely due to Rondo being hurt for more than half the year. If the team hangs onto Rondo, they could be a middle team in the east or at least one that challenges for one of the last playoff spots, as they have Avery Bradley back along with younger players like Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart.
Many have speculated that the Celtics could trade Rondo because they drafted Smart, but Danny Ainge put wanted on that, as he said the two could play well off each other. Smart showed in college he is versatile and can play multiple positions and that is likely what Ainge sees from him. Whether the Celtics trade Rondo or not, they have a great athletic option in Smart and he can also play point when Rondo is on the bench, as he showed at OK State he can be a smart and efficient point guard.
The Celtics were once thought of as an option in the Kevin Love trade talks, but now that has shifted to just the Warriors and the Cavaliers. The Celtics likely would have to give up Olynyk as well as Jared Sullinger or Avery Bradley along with draft picks and while they have a number of first rounders, Ainge may not want to mortgage the future for right now. Stevens is in for the long haul and Rondo likely will get a contract if he is not traded and that sets up the Celtics for years down the line.