Rajon Rondo will start the 2014 season on the Boston Celtics' roster. That is about a 99 percent guarantee at this time. With training camp right around the corner, no team will give up what it takes to get the point guard. However, after the year begins, anything could happen. Rondo has said all of the right things up until now to keep him from becoming the next Kevin Love, but Boston might not be buying it.
According to Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com, the Celtics will likely move Rondo prior to the mid-season trade deadline. Kennedy believes there is almost no chance that Rondo re-signs with the Celtics. With players like Kevin Love opting to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the point guard wants to go play for a contender. He will be 29 come next summer and the clock is ticking for a chance to win another championship. At the moment, Boston is simply not set up to give Rondo that opportunity. There is a real risk that Boston will lose Rondo for nothing, so trading him sooner rather than later is the best move to make.
Celtics president Rich Gotham has told the media (per the Boston Globe) that he has not heard of Rondo having the desire to move. The point guard has not demanded any kind of trade nor hinted that he plans on leaving. Rondo has kept things coy when speaking on his upcoming free agency, simply noting that he loves Boston and head coach Brad Stevens. However, will he take that same attitude when a contending team comes calling in 2015?
Several teams will be very interested in Rondo when he becomes available. Right now, not too many teams are set up to make a trade for him, but will be able to offer him a large contract next summer. The Los Angeles Lakers will be considered the frontrunners for Rondo. Next season, the team will lose both Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin, depleting them at the position. The Lakers have intended to target 2015 as their time to spend money and Rondo fits that description.
The Houston Rockets will also be an option, possibly even for a trade. The point guard spot is possibly the one neglected position on their All-Star roster. After trading Lin, the team has Patrick Beverly, but Rondo is the upgrade. The Indiana Pacers will also be a favorite both in trades and free agency. Next year will see a healthy Paul George returning. Rondo is an upgrade for George Hill. If the Pacers wanted him sooner rather than later, Roy Hibbert is the major trade piece. If not, the Pacers will make a run in free agency.
