The NBA trade deadline is not until February, but talks are heating up around some of the biggest names in the league. All eyes have been on Rajon Rondo for the better part of a year as it is widely known the point guard will be an unrestricted free agent come the summer. Rondo has remained quiet about his intentions for free agency as the Boston Celtics maintain that they play on bringing back their star for the long-term. However, several teams are eyeing Rondo as the final piece to a championship puzzle as the Dallas Mavericks are moving to the front of the line.
ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Mavericks have had discussions with the Boston Celtics in regards to a deal for Rondo. The terms of the trade are not fully known, but team sources told ESPN that multiple draft picks including one future first-round option as well as center Brandan Wright would be included. The Celtics are not going to trade Rondo for just anything, so the Mavericks will have to make sure the draft picks are quality options.
The one issue that could put Dallas on edge about making the trade is that Rondo will still become a free agent in the summer regardless. The Mavericks would be in the same position as the Cleveland Cavaliers are with Kevin Love. The Mavericks likely would only make the deal if they could get some kind of confirmation from Rondo that he intends to re-sign. The point guard could join one of the NBA's best teams of the moment as Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons have created one of the best offenses in the league.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Celtics are only interested in trading Rondo to a Western Conference team. The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are also showing interest in the point guard as they have for a full year now. The Lakers do not have the draft picks and play assets to offer in return, but Houston might have enough pull to finish a deal.
Wojnarowski is also reporting that Jeff Green is being shopped to interested teams as well and would require a first-round pick in exchange like Rondo. Everyone has maintained that the Celtics plan on keeping Rondo and Green unless the exact right deal comes along. Rondo himself has shaken off the rumors for a full year. With the deadline still months away, anything could happen. But, if the Mavericks are still putting up the most offensive points in the league come the end of January, they will make a serious push for Rondo.