With the NBA offseason quickly approaching, it is only appropriate that the Rajon Rondo trade rumors surface. No matter what Danny Ainge or Rondo himself says to the press, many will assume the point guard is always up for trading at the right price. With free agency approaching next offseason, this is the year to trade Rondo and get something of quality in return. So what are the options?
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Houston Rockets are expected to call about a trade involving Rondo and Lin. The two teams briefly negotiated a move back during the regular season trading period, but failed to pull the trigger and both players remained on the roster. The Rockets are looking to make one more splash in free agency, but will need to move players in order to do so. Lin is the likely target once again thanks to his inflated contract.
Stein reports that it is only inevitable that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey checks the option once more. The issue is the details of the deal. Ainge is not just going to hand Rondo over. He is considered one of the best point guards in the league despite the knee injury. The Rockets would have to offer up Lin and possibly Chandler Parsons or Omer Asik as well.
The Rockets do not want to lose Parsons. According to the Houston Chronicle that move is off the table. Parsons is too valuable to the team. Asik and Lin are expendable and so is their $15 million salary. Getting Parsons and Lin would be a solid trade for the Boston Celtics, but the Rockets might be unwilling to give up that much for one point guard that will require a new contract in a year.
The New York Knicks are another option for Rondo. While retaining Carmelo Anthony is the first priority for the team, getting an upgrade at the point guard position is a necessity too. The Knicks worked off Iman Shumpert and Raymond Felton last season, a lineup that failed. Getting in Rondo would be a huge upgrade. Again, this comes down to what New York is willing to give up. They do not have many players that are tradable and they have no draft picks. While getting Rondo is ideal, it might simply be impossible.
The likelihood that Rondo is traded is slim. The Boston Celtics are not going to let him go for anything less than the highest asking price. That will prove to be too high for just one player in return.
