The Dallas Mavericks pulled off the Rajon Rondo trade, but if he doesn't sign an extension and becomes a free agent, teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers will likely join the Mavs as teams that chase the point guard in free agency after he was traded from the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks, Lakers and Rockets all called into the Celtics about the Rondo trade, but it was the Mavericks who had the best package of picks and players. The Celtics likely could have gotten a much better deal for Rondo a year ago, but his ACL injury really affected what they could do. The team was stuck between trading him for a perceived lesser value and waiting to see how he could recover, but that in turn also lowered his value. The Celtics could only do so much, as other teams knew that they wanted to get rid of Rondo and acted accordingly in their proposals.
The Mavericks are likely to sign Rondo to an extension, but until that happens there will be speculation about what he does in free agency. Rondo seemingly fits in well with this offense as a prime defender and playmaker, but his offensive skills have been declining over the past couple years. The Lakers, Knicks, Kings and Rockets all will be interested in Rondo if he hits the market, as he will be over a year removed from his surgery and coming off playing for a contending team.
Rondo was traded with Dwight Powell to Dallas for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and draft picks and those picks include a first round pick in 2015 that is conditional. The Celtics are hoping the protections on that pick give it to them in the teens and they come in with two draft picks in the first round next year already. Rondo comes to the team when they are one of the top teams in the west and he could be the key to leading them to a championship this season.
Chandler Parsons was signed in the offseason and now Rondo has the chance to give the team another boost on offense. The Lakers and the Knicks reportedly looked at making a deal with the Celtics, but neither side came close to making it happen. The Knicks may try and sign Rondo as a free agent if he hits the market, as they have money to spend and have been looking to pair Anthony with a prime point guard. The Lakers would like to do the same with Kobe Bryant and they have the chance with Jeremy Lin coming off the books next year.
The Rockets are a team to watch, as they will target Rondo as well along with Goran Dragic. The Knicks, Lakers and Rockets are all in play for those two names if they are on the market and whoever misses out could look at making a trade down the line. Dragic will be a heavy target along with Rondo, as he has been improving over the last couple years and should command a high salary next year when he hits the market.
