The Houston Rockets are off to a great start this season and at the NBA trade deadline the team may look at making a major deal, as adding someone like Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe, Gerald Green or Roy Hibbert could put the team over the top in the west and giving Dwight Howard and James Harden a third star could be the key to a title in 2014-15.
The Rockets won over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday after winning over the Miami Heat on Tuesday and that means two victories over the best teams in the NBA from last season. Granted, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili did not play in the game for the Spurs, but a win is a win and now the Rockets have the best record in the league. Many wondered whether the team could handle losing Chandler Parsons from the offense but they have not missed a beat and have been averaging over 104 points per game this season.
Rondo has long been considered a target for GM Daryl Morey and after reports that the team was interested last season, the Rockets could look at a deal this year. Rondo is heading toward free agency and so is Monroe and those could be options for the Rockets. Obviously Monroe doesn't fit a need like Rondo does since he plays up front where the team already has Howard, but they got rid of Omer Asik and adding another big body could be huge for the playoffs.
Rondo would be a game changer and if the team doesn't go after that deal, names like Gerald Green, Dion Waiters and Jeff Green could be options. Green has been mentioned as a potential target by SI.com for teams, as he is with the Suns and they already have plenty of offensive talent. The Rockets have been great and now they will try and keep it up through this season and into the playoffs.
The Celtics started off the season with a win and Rondo played in the game for Boston after breaking his hand last month, which put his status into question. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are expecting to get numerous offers for Rondo trades this season, but they want to hold off before making any moves, as they want to see if he can remain healthy after his ACL injury and comeback last year. Rondo played in 30 games last season and looked good and now he has started the season with the team in the starting lineup.
The Celtics were prepared for life without Rondo for a bit if he had to miss time with a broken hand, as they drafted Marcus Smart with the number six pick in the draft. The Celtics see him as a future star and while he could take over for Rondo one day, Danny Ainge has said that he envisions the two playing on the court at the same time for Brad Stevens. Rondo had a very good game on Wednesday night with 13 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, one block, and one three-point shot and that type of stat line is very promising for the Celtics.
