The Houston Rockets are looking like one of the strongest teams in the west this season and heading into the trading deadline they could be active and a name that keeps popping up is Rajon Rondo and he could be in the mix for the Boston Celtics with Omer Asik or Jeremy Lin before the trading deadline in February.
The Celtics have long been saying that they are not trading Rondo, but Danny Ainge can't say much else right now and while the point guard wants to stay in Boston for a "decade", things can change in the next couple weeks. The Rockets and the Celtics were rumored to be close to a deal for Asik earlier this season in December, but that fell apart when Houston was asking for too much and now talks could pick up again as the deadline gets closer. Jeremy Lin could be in the mix as well since his contract is an issue for the Rockets, but he likely will remain with the team through the duration, which is what Daryl Morey added about Asik after the deal fell through.
Rondo likely will not get traded, but the Rockets have been a team that writers in the media have identified as a logical destination. Morey is not afraid to make big moves, as evidenced by the James Harden deal and he would love to get a legitimate point guard to lead Dwight Howard and this Rockets team that he thinks can win a championship. The team likely will have to lower its expectations about the deal for Asik, as they want first round draft picks, but depending on what gets offered, the two sides could come to an agreement.
The Celtics have a number of players they could package and with Gerald Wallace's contract being huge and Asik making $15 million next season, something can be worked out on both sides. Trading Rondo would open up a number of possibilities for the Celtics and while they would lose a premier player, they likely would get some help rebuilding by making the move. Morey won't go crazy, but as the trading deadline gets closer more deals could start moving and this is one to keep an eye on.
Lin has been solid for the Rockets, but not at the money he is getting paid and while the team likes Patrick Beverley, he is not a championship point guard yet and getting someone like Rondo would transform this team for the better. Asik comes in after averaging a double-double last year, but he has been marginalized and wasted on the Rockets bench this season and he is poised to move. Other teams that have been mentioned include the Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks.
Houston comes into the week 30-17 and they are second in their division and will be one of the top teams in the west in the playoffs. The Celtics are fading fast and that is why many think they will be active at the trading deadline and this comes after they made the move with Jordan Crawford and now more deals could be on the horizon. Brad Stevens is rebuilding and doing the job he is paid to do, but the team could really build for the future by dealing Rondo if they can't sign him to an extension.
