New York Knicks president Phil Jackson has a chance to sign Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo next summer if the All-Star guard plays his cards right and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2015.
After failing to acquire Kevin Love, the Boston Celtics reportedly will put Rondo on the trade block. Rondo, though, can control his fate. The 28-year-old becomes a free agent next summer, and any team who trades for him would want assurances he will sign a long-term contract.
By refusing to give those assurances, Rondo could play out the final year of his contract in Boston and risk injury, but essentially choose the next team he plays for as a free agent -- assuming he doesn't reach a long-term agreement to stay in Boston.
Regardless of whether Rondo stays or goes, he's expected to opt out of his contract because it allows him to get the most money.
If Rondo does become a free agent, expect New York to be his No. 1 suitor.
The Knicks long have been reported as a team interested in Rondo, and next summer they will have a huge chunk of cap space available to sign him -- and another big-name free agent -- to a lucrative contract.
For Rondo, donning a Knicks jersey would let him play in another big market and give him the opportunity to win a championship alongside superstar Carmelo Anthony. Added incentives include playing for a Jackson-constructed team, which would likely feature a system -- the triangle offense -- that Rondo could excell in, and a veteran guard-turned-coach in Derek Fisher who understands the 1-guard position.
The Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns also reportedly are interested in Rondo, be it through a trade this season or through free agency next summer.
