The Boston Celtics may look at a Rajon Rondo trade this season and teams like the Houston Rockets or Indiana Pacers could be interested in making a move if the Celtics feel like making a deal and that could happen down the line after Danny Ainge drafted Marcus Smart, as he is a versatile player that could make up for losing Rondo in the future.
According to ESPN.com, Marc Stein writes that the Houston Rockets or Indiana Pacers could look at a deal for Rondo, as they both would like to upgrade at the point guard position. The Pacers reportedly were interested in a deal for Goran Dragic with Roy Hibbert, but there has not been much movement on that. The Pacers need a new offensive leader after losing Paul George and they have long wanted to upgrade at point guard from George Hill as well.
Stein writes that the Rockets may look at a deal for Rondo after losing out on Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, but the team so far has taken a slow approach. The Rockets added Trevor Ariza and they lost Chandler Parsons and while they still have Dwight Howard and James Harden, the team would love a third star to put alongside those two to form a Big 3. Daryl Morey has long been interested in Rondo and the two sides nearly had a deal come together last season.
Rondo is the biggest trade target apart Kevin Love this offseason and while the Boston Celtics have shown no signs of trading him, teams like the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings could be interested in making a move and if Danny Ainge doesn't sign him long term, teams will be lining up for Rondo. The Celtics are rebuilding and while they want Rondo to be part of that, things may take a while and that could lead to a trade eventually for the Celtics.
The Celtics drafted Marcus Smart in the first round of the draft and that led many to believe that the team may trade Rondo. Smart can play point guard and he has shown that he is an athletic and versatile player. Smart averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game last season at Oklahoma State and Danny Ainge said that drafting him did not mean that the team would trade Rondo. Smart has played point before and Ainge said that the two players would be on the floor together for Brad Stevens this season.
Rondo averaged over 10 points and nine assists in 30 games after coming back from his injury last season and he is looking to have a healthy year this season. The team won just 25 games last season, but they have a ton of young talent to build around and whether Rondo stays or not, the team has optimism for the future.
