NBA free agents reportedly don't want to sign with the Boston Celtics because of star Rajon Rondo. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, supposedly remain active in their attempts to trade for Rondo.
Rondo purportedly didn't get along with former coach Doc Rivers and former teammate Ray Allen. Rondo's bad attitude, though, appears to be a well-known secret in the league, and according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman, it's deterring free agents from signing in Boston.
Goodman revealed, via a back-and-forth tweet with a follower, not many players are keen to play with Rondo. The conversation began when the follower, CelticsBlog, disagreed with Goodman that Boston should trade Rondo.
@celticsblog You must really enjoy the draft lottery.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 17, 2014
@GoodmanESPN because trading our best player gets us out of the lottery? — CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) July 17, 2014
@celticsblog Nope. It may help attract free agents, though.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 17, 2014
@celticsblog From me talking to numerous players around the league. — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 17, 2014
As NBC Sports pointed out, former teammates Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both have always publically supported Rondo and expressed their fondness of playing on the court with him.
While Rondo may have an ill reputation among players, it's not deterring the Rockets from pursuing him.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported earlier in the week that the Rockets were renewing their efforts to land Rondo in a trade. The problem, though, is Houston is lacking in in assets to entice Boston into trading their four-time All-Star.
Celtics president Danny Ainge reportedly would trade Rondo for the right offer if Boston is unable to acquire Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, who appears at the moment unlikely to end up in Boston.
The Sacramento Kings have also been linked as a potential suitor for Rondo. Stein reported Thursday the Kings were trying to trade for Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith, who's a close friend with Rondo.
