All signs point to Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo being dealt before the February trade deadline. Below is the latest roundup of Rondo trade rumors.
1.
Tyler Spence of Sports Talk with T-Spence reported a deal between Boston and the Sacramento Kings for Rondo was 80 percent done. Although some websites, such as BasketballInsiders.com, refuted the report, Spence stood by his sources and clarified what he heard about the potential deal.
"Also many people are stating my report only involved (Ben McLemore and Derrick Williams) for Rondo. I've stated many times this deal is not yet imminent, and I will pass along more info ASAP," Spence tweeted Monday. "McLemore/Williams and picks are all I've been able to confirm who is involved in the offer, not the actual offer."
Spence's original report indicated Boston still is trying to see if they can get a better deal from another team. The New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets purportedly are strong suitors for Rondo, but neither team presently has the assets to make it worthwhile for Boston to deal him.
2.
Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com reported Tuesday it still appears "inevitable" Rondo will be traded before February's deadline. While Boston purportedly would like to re-sign Rondo, their drafting of rookie guard Marcus Smart could be an indicator the team is not confident about their chances of inking Rondo to a new deal.
"The Celtics also seem to be interested in letting Marcus Smart come along a little slowly, and that Rondo in a worst-case scenario is training wheels for Smart, and is ultimately traded later in the season when Boston might be able to extract more from a team that needs Rondo for a postseason run," Kyler wrote on Tuesday.
3.
Because Rondo is on an expiring contract, he essentially has a say in where he goes. Most teams wouldn't want to rent Rondo for just one season; they'd want some sort of implicit assurance from Rondo that he'll be willing to sign a long-term contract with them if they mortgage their future on him.
Rondo can make the most money by not signing an extension and hitting the market next summer as a free agent. If that does happen, as expected, look for the Knicks to become the frontrunner for him.
In addition to the lure of the Big Apple, Knicks president Phil Jackson will have a nearly wide-open book to ink Rondo to a big contract.
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