The Boston Celtics know that after Kevin Love, their star Rajon Rondo is the next big trade target and as the offseason moves along, the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns all could be interested in making a move if Danny Ainge opts to trade his point guard and the Celtics also have pieces to move, as Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk or Brandon Bass could get moved after the tea, drafted Marcus Smart and James Young.
The Celtics signed Evan Turner this summer in free agency and now they have a solid bench option that can score a bit. According to Pro Basketball Talk and ESPN.com, the Celtics were interested in trying to trade for Kevin Love, but now that is between Cleveland and Chicago most likely. One report said the team would trade Rondo if they missed out on Love and it remains to be seen if that is true.
The team reportedly would have traded Jared Sullinger and someone else like Kelly Olynyk in the deal, while a Rondo trade would likely have been with Jeff Green or another player to help clear salary. The move for Turner is actually a smart move, as there is barely any risk for the team, as they have him on a cheap deal and if he plays well, great, and if not, they have him just on the midlevel exception. On top of that, the Celtics could try what they did last year with Jordan Crawford, which was to sign him and then see how he plays and since he played well, the team flipped him to the Warriors. The same could be done for Turner at low risk.
The Celtics ended up with a top 10 pick again, but they are a team on the upswing even without any trades, as they have a number of solid young players and prospects, including new rookie Marcus Smart from Oklahoma State. Danny Ainge took Smart after the first target for the team, Aaron Gordon, went to the Orlando Magic and now he has two dynamic players in the backcourt.
Many thought drafting Smart meant that Rondo could be traded, but Ainge has spoken at length about both players getting time on court at the same time this season. Smart played point guard at OK State, but he is versatile and athletic and he can line up in at least three positions on the floor. Ainge got value with his pick at six, as Smart was considered a potential top three pick last year before going back to college. The while Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker debate pushed him back and the Sixers taking Joel Embiid also helped Smart get to the Celtics.
Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck wanted to make a big splash this offseason, but since things did not line up right, the team is ready to keep going in the direction they have been. The team has Smart and Young and they also have Brad Stevens putting in his system and building the team up after their championship run years ago.