The Boston Celtics are not looking at a Rajon Rondo trade this summer despite the fact that his name has come up in rumors involving the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers, as Danny Ainge and the franchise want to see whether Rondo can stay healthy for a full season and if the Celtics show enough progress to make it worth extending Rondo a long term offer that could end up at $100 million.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are not looking to trade Rondo right now despite the rumored interest, as it makes more sense to take a wait and see approach. The report cites Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe and states that since Rondo will be a free agent next summer, the team is being patient to see how the trade market plays out and whether Rondo can stay fully healthy after coming back from his ACL injury.
This past season Rondo ended up playing in 30 games and averaged over 10 points with nearly as many assists per game and now the Celtics are hoping he can make it through this season healthy. Danny Ainge has spoken about the team's interest in keeping Rondo and that they aren't looking to trade him now. Many felt that the drafting of Marcus Smart was a step in that direction, but Ainge said that was more about talent than anything else. Smart is there if the team trades Rondo and if they won't, Ainge has said that he plans on having Brad Stevens use both Rondo and Smart on the court at the same time.
The Sacramento Kings are the latest team to be mentioned in trade rumors and this comes after the team had interest last year as well. Rondo likely would not sign a long term deal no matter where he is traded, so that puts the Celtics and other teams in a tough spot. Rondo is in the Kevin Love gray area now, as he is heading into free agency and will be a trade target, but he has no interest in signing long term. Rondo should get a ton of money on the free agent market if he remains healthy and now it remains to be seen if it will be with the Celtics.
The Houston Rockets have long been a fan of Rondo's and after missing out on major free agents this offseason, he could be a target again. The team went after Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh hard and ended up missing on both of them and now they could go after someone like Rondo. The team and the Celtics spoke about a deal last season, but things did not get serious since the Rockets did not want to trade Chandler Parsons, but now that looks like an ill-fated decision by Daryl Morey.
Rondo has been one of the best point guards in basketball and if the Celtics show some progress this season, they may sign him long term. Rondo wants to win and he could end up in a number of places depending on how this season and the trade deadline shakes out.