Celtics star guard Rajon Rondo made his return from a torn ACL on Friday in Boston’s loss to the Lakers. Rondo of course returned to a different team. With many of their key pieces gone, the Celtics are rebuilding and Rondo is the only remanent left. Trade rumors have fired back up as many don’t see Rondo as part of the team’s rebuilding plans.
via New York Daily News:
Rondo is the last blue chip from the 2008 championship team and 2010 Finals team that Celtics president Danny Ainge can convert into assets as he rebuilds the franchise. More than a few GMs around the league expect Rondo to be on the move, if not at the trading deadline next month, then maybe in June at draft time. …
Rondo probably isn’t going to accept a role in a rebuilding situation with a rookie coach, Brad Stevens, so look for Ainge to try to move him to the West, with Phoenix and Houston seen as two potential destinations. Dallas has always had interest in the four-time All-Star, who blew out his right knee last January, but Mark Cuban doesn’t have the assets to make it work.
Now Rondo has been involved in trade rumors for quite some time so it’s hard to tell if Danny Ainge will finally pull the trigger. It does however seem likely they will make the trade if first round draft picks are involved as the Celtics have been stack piling picks to form a new young squad. Rondo also has one year left on his contract and as he is still viewed as a top-five point guard he will be looking for a significant deal, one the Celtics might not be willing to commit to. Still as for right now this is just speculation and we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
