The Boston Celtics have targets in free agency and a Rajon Rondo trade could be an option for the team down the line with the Houston Rockets or Pacers if they sign Gordon Hayward as a free agent, as the team drafted Marcus Smart with their first round pick and he could be poised to take over if Rondo is traded to help rebuild for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens.
The Celtics have been looking at Hayward as a free agent target since the season ended and his connection to Brad Stevens from his days at Butler could be a nice plus for the team in signing him. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Hayward is a target for the Celtics along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Jazz are also major players in what the RFA decides to do. Hayward visited Cleveland and he could get an offer if they officially miss out on LeBron James, as they just signed Kyrie Irving to max money and they are looking to make other moves as well.
Hayward had a very good season with the Jazz last year, putting up 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game and now he is a restricted free agent. The Cavaliers reportedly were interested in offering him a max contract, but they backed off from that talk, while the Celtics have emerged as another option if the Jazz opt to let him leave. Early reports in free agency had the Jazz matching whatever deal Hayward got on the market, but that could change as time goes by and Boston is likely an attractive destination with Stevens already there.
The Celtics have been mentioned in trade rumors with Rajon Rondo since last year and until he signs a long term contract in Boston, his name will likely continue to pop up. Rondo played in 30 games last season following his injury stemming from last year and he looked fully recovered and now he could be a major piece going forward for the Celtics as they try to rebuild. Danny Ainge has the option of trading Rondo, but he has spoken at length about keeping him and now that Smart is in the fold, Stevens will have to find a way for the two to play together. Ainge said he had no problem putting Smart and Rondo on the floor together and that Smart's time at OK State prepared him to play multiple positions.
Smart is a value pick for the Celtics, as they got him at number six and had he come out a year before, chances are he would have been a top three pick. Smart has size at 6-foot-3, 227 pounds and most scouts say he is ready to play in the NBA right away and his physical style could be huge for the Celtics as they build around their young talent. The team also added James Young with their other first round pick and now they have draft picks in the future to play with along with a solid roster of young players.
