The Houston Rockets let Chandler Parsons leave and lost Chris Bosh in free agency, but a trade for Rajon Rondo with the Boston Celtics or a deal for Kevin Love with the Minnesota Timberwolves could be a consolation prize, as Marc Stein at ESPN reports that Daryl Morey could look at trading Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones or Clint Capela for one of the stars this summer after missing out on bigger names like Carmelo Anthony.
According to ESPN.com and Stein, the Rockets may look at engaging with the Celtics again for Rondo, as he has long been a target for the team. Stein also writes that the team could look at a Kevin Love deal, but with the Cavaliers also interested, it could be a tough one to make. The Rockets engaged the Celtics last season on a deal and did not want to give up Chandler Parsons and now that kind of looks bad, as they lost him to the Mavericks on an offer sheet and now they could look at dealing again.
Back last season, the team offered Omer Asik, but his contract was too big and now he is gone and names like Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones and Francisco Garcia could be in line to move in a deal. The Rockets likely will have to give up a draft pick or two to get it done as well and while they obviously want to keep Rondo long term, the team also has Marcus Smart in the fold after drafting him at number six overall and he can handle things if Rondo is gone. The team also re-signed Avery Bradley and could look at other moves if this deal goes down.
The Rockets made it to the playoffs last season and got upset by the Portland Trail Blazers and now they have the chance to make a major move for the franchise. Morey did not see Parsons as a third star next two Dwight Howard and James Harden and now he may try other moves to get someone like Love or Rondo in the fold. The Celtics are going to want first round picks and while Morey is reluctant to give those up, he has no choice if he wants to make the deal.
The Celtics are looking at making big moves this summer heading into the draft and the team may look at a trade with Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green or Jared Sullinger if they can't work out the Kevin Love trade with the Timberwolves, as Danny Ainge has future first round picks and the chance to make a blockbuster move to try and rebuild the franchise back to championship form.
Rondo is coming into this season after recovering from a major injury and he played in 30 games last year and is getting to the point where he needs to sign a long term contract or head out of town. According to ESPN.com, the Celtics are considered a player in the Kevin Love talks, as they have first round picks to use in the deal in the future and the Timberwolves could be willing to trade now since they have not gotten any other offers they like, although the Golden State Warriors were close.
