The Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo have come up in trade rumors for a couple years and those should continue this season, as Rondo is heading into free agency and teams like the LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Kings and NY Knicks all could be interested in him, while the Celtics also may look to re-sign the superstar even if Marcus Smart starts the season at point guard.
Rondo is coming into the season after a broken hand last month and while he may be ready for the start of the season, there is a chance he could miss some games. Marcus Smart could start the season at point guard if Rondo is not back from his injury and while that may not lead to a trade directly, it sure could help Ainge decide if he plays well.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics and Danny Ainge have said that they want to keep Rondo long term and both sides plan on starting the beginning of the season together. Rondo wants to see where the Celtics are at in their rebuilding before signing an extension, while the Celtics want to see if Rondo can stay healthy. Reports also have the team looking to keep Rondo while signing Marc Gasol or Greg Monroe as a free agent next summer.
Last season Rondo came back from an ACL injury and looked good in 30 games and now the team wants to see if he can make it through at least half the season before making a move. The team picked Marcus Smart in the draft and that was a wise move because he went six and he should have been a top three pick, but he is also insurance if Rondo gets hurt or leaves. Rondo likely wants to hit free agency so the market can come to him, but that doesn't mean he won't end up signing back with the Celtics.
Rondo said that he could return in time for the start of the season, but the Celtics likely do not want to rush him back in case he re-aggravates the injury. Rondo played in 30 games after his surgery and looked good and now the Celtics have some major questions to consider. Bill Simmons said on his podcast that he thinks the Celtics will look to make a deal with Rondo and teams like the Rockets, Pacers and Knicks all could be interested.
The Rockets and Daryl Morey have long been interested in Rondo and now that Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons are gone, the team could look at making a move. The Celtics are rebuilding hard with Brad Stevens leading the way and if they don't think Rondo will sign back after this season they may try and get some draft picks for him. Rondo is a great point guard and Pro Basketball Talk reported that the team may wait until deeper in the season to look at a trade. Smart is a great prospect and he is insurance if the team ends up trading Rondo or if he goes down again with an injury.
