The Houston Rockets and LA Lakers are reportedly interested in Goran Dragic and Rajon Rondo as free agent target next summer over trade deals now, as the teams want to give stars Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant some extra support and the two west franchises could battle in free agency over the point guards, as they will be two of the most coveted players on the market.
The Rockets have long been interested in Rondo as a point guard, while the Lakers will have money to burn and a Black Mamba they will be looking to please. It has been two very tough seasons in Los Angeles for Kobe and the franchise has had to watch as the Clippers get better and now it could be their turn to turn it around. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers will target both Rondo and Dragic next summer in the hopes of getting one of the point guards and the team also may look at Greg Monroe as a free agent.
The Rockets are also reportedly looking at a trade with Corey Brewer this season and Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the Cavaliers are also looking at a trade for Brewer. The Rockets are an interesting player for Rondo, as they have long wanted him as their point guard and once he hits free agency they could try to make that happen. The Rockets have a high powered offense with Dwight Howard and James Harden and adding Rondo to that would be huge.
Dragic previously played for the Rockets and Pro Basketball Talk reports that Dragic will have a free agent tour, even though he wants to stay with the Suns. The Rockets may go after Dragic if Rondo stays in Boston or signs somewhere else and the report says that the Lakers may do the same. The Lakers, Celtics and Knicks all will have money to spend and those could be the big names looking at Rondo.
Rondo came back last season after ACL surgery and looked very good over the final 30 games, averaging nearly a double-double in that time on points and assists. Over the final few weeks of the season Rondo did average a double-double and no matter what happens, he will be the most coveted free agent on the market. Kevin Love was once considered to be the top name that would be in free agency, but after his trade to the Cavaliers, it now has shifted to Rondo.
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.
