The Boston Celtics may look at a Rajon Rondo trade this season and Grantland editor Bill Simmons thinks the NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Lakers and Indiana Pacers all could be potential destinations and this comes as Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Celtics will chase Marc Gasol as a free agent next summer.
Rondo was in danger of missing the start of the season after breaking his hand, but he was able to return to the starting lineup and if he stays healthy, he will be trade bait. Rondo has overtaken Kevin Love as the top trade chip in the league, as he is heading for free agency and there is a chance he could leave the Celtics. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics would like to attempt to keep Rondo as a free agent and that is one reason why they did not trade him this summer despite having some suitors.
The Celtics wanted to see if Rondo could make it through the season healthy after dealing with ACL surgery last year and although he came back for 30 games last season, the team wanted to see more. Rondo also wanted to see things before making any major decisions, as he has the chance to re-up with the Celtics if he wants to, but he reportedly wanted to see where the rebuilding process has taken the team. The Celtics drafted Marcus Smart in the first round this season and depending on how things play out, he could be the point guard of the future.
Rondo has shown already to start the season that he is recovered from his injuries and he had a fantastic game against the Brooklyn Nets, putting in 13 points and 12 assists in the victory. Rondo had 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Rockets in a loss for the Celtics and his trade value will only get stronger if he continues to play this well. Rondo came back last season and averaged 12 points and 11 assists over the final 20 games and he has pushed that now into this season. Rondo is always up in the air injury wise, as he has missed double digit games in the last four seasons, but he also is a high risk, high reward move for the teams mentioned above.
Even if Rondo is not traded this season, he will be a prime free agent target and teams with money like the Lakers, Knicks, Rockets and Celtics all will be chasing him. The Celtics have the inside track since they can start talking to him early, but the Knicks and Lakers are both expected to have a ton of cap space and could make offers that are very enticing. Rondo will have to weigh the money along with what the Celtics are doing in their rebuilding process this season.
Pro Basketball Talk also reports that the Celtics will be chasing Marc Gasol in free agency. The Knicks and the Lakers are also expected to chase and that could make for some interesting three way targets this summer with Rondo and Gasol between those teams.
