The Boston Celtics have the chance for a Rajon Rondo trade this summer with the Houston Rockets, but the team is likely sitting tight with their point guard and potential moves in free agency could target names like Evan Turner, Jameer Nelson, Emeka Okafor, Elton Brand or Michael Beasley on the free agent market, as those players like will not cost too much for Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens.
According to ESPN.com reported Marc Stein, the Celtics have been mentioned as a possible destination for Kevin Love, but right now all the talk is about the Warriors and Cavaliers. Stein also writes that the Houston Rockets may look at trying to swing a Rajon Rondo trade now that they have missed out on signing Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh along with losing Chandler Parsons. The Celtics and Rockets nearly had a deal last season, but the Rockets did not want to give up Parsons in a deal and now Daryl Morey has to wonder what might have been.
ESPN Boston and Pro Basketball Talk report that Evan Turner is a target for the Celtics and he also is getting some attention from the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency. Turner spent last season in Philly before getting traded to the Indiana Pacers, but he did not really factor in the mix there and barely played. Some other free agents include Jameer Nelson, Emeka Okafor, Elton Brand or Michael Beasley and while those names do not jump off the page, Nelson has built a solid career in Orlando and could be a valuable addition.
The Boston Celtics are coming into this season after going just 25-57 last year, but that was not unexpected for the team and now they have a nice core of young talent and tons of first round picks coming down the line in the future. The team was ranked 13th in points allowed per game last season and that is a testament to Brad Stevens, as he has the Celtics playing hard despite knowing they would lose a ton of games. The team ended up in the draft lottery as expected and they took Marcus Smart with their first pick and that could end up being a fantastic selection.
The Celtics were ranked 22nd in assists per game and part of that was Rondo being out for the entire season apart from 30 games. As long as he is healthy those numerous should get better and so should the scoring, which was ranked 26th in the league. Smart will help with that and if the team signs Evan Turner it will also help get things going. Turner is not a good shooter from outside, but his stats from the middle were much more efficient and he could be a solid signing if he joins up.
The Celtics likely want to keep Rondo long term and the longer that goes without happening, the more he will get mentioned in trade rumors. The Celtics have players they like and may want to keep Rondo around to help those young stars develop. The Celtics really have nowhere to go but up and the future is bright with all those picks.
