While it seems like an unlikely move at this point, there is still a chance that Rajon Rondo could be traded prior to the start of the 2014 season. The Boston Celtics continue to remain non-committal on the point guard's future, calling him a cornerstone player to build on while also noting that no one on the roster is safe from the right deal. So like Kevin Love, teams are still keeping Rondo in the back of their minds.
The free agency decisions of players like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James will determine a lot for the direction that teams go in during the offseason. It could push them to make a big trade sooner rather than later and that is where Rondo will come in. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers could heavily pursue trades for Rondo pending the decisions of other players.
Kennedy writes that once the marquee players make their respective moves, trade talk surrounding Rondo will jump back to the forefront. The Rockets have been considering the deal for some time, even offering up Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin as a trade package during the mid-season trading period. That is no longer an option as Asik is off the roster and Lin is not enough of a trade piece by himself. The Rockets would have to include another player and likely a draft pick which might be too high of a price to pay.
The Rockets are currently awaiting a decision from Chris Bosh after the team offered him a max contract in free agency. Bosh, like everyone else, is waiting for Anthony and James to make a decision. He has been outspoken saying he prefers to remain in Miami and continue with James as his teammate. However, if James does not return to the Heat, Bosh must reassess his plans and the Rockets will be there waiting.
All of this cannot happen with Lin on the roster. The point guard continues to get the short end of the stick in Houston. Despite putting up strong numbers off the bench, Lin's future has been in jeopardy the moment he signed the inflated contract. Interest in trades have been very low. Only the Philadelphia 76ers have seriously considered making a move. The Boston Celtics would like to take on Lin, but will need more than that if they are giving up Rondo.
The likelihood that Rondo is gone is slim. The Celtics are hoping to use the point guard to recruit Love in free agency next season. However, Rondo will also be a free agency so if he gives any indication that he is not looking to remain in Boston for the long-term then a trade will be taken more seriously.
