The Boston Celtics still appear likely to trade star Rajon Rondo before the February deadline. Based on the number of similar reports, if a trade does happen, Rondo is likely to be dealt to the Sacramento Kings.
Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy is the latest to report Sacramento as the most candidate to land Rondo this season in a trade.
"I do think he'll be traded before the deadline, since he's at the stage in his career where he wants to win and the Boston Celtics are clearly rebuilding," Kennedy wrote Wednesday afternoon. "It's hard to say where he'll land this early in the season, but I think the Kings are a possibility. (General manager) Pete D'Alessandro has been super aggressive since taking over as GM of the Kings and they've been linked to Rondo before.
"I think they like the idea of a Rondo, Rudy Gay, DeMarcus Cousins Trio. The question is, would Rondo re-sign with Sacramento after the season. If not, that may (knock) Sacramento out of the sweepstakes since it's unlikely they give up significant pieces to have Rondo as a rental."
The Kings have been linked to Rondo before. One report indicated in the summer Boston and Sacramento had discussed a trade, but the talks ultimately stalled. Another report, from Tyler Spence of Sports Talk in September, called a Rondo-Kings deal "80 percent" done, but the hold up was Rondo's unwillingness to commit to re-signing in July.
Rondo's desire to test free agency is the biggest hindrance to any trade. There's undoubtedly a market for the point guard, but teams don't want to trade valuable assets for a player who could walk on them in the summer.
One positive for Boston, if they do want to trade Rondo, is he looks like himself again. Rondo struggled last season as he returned from ACL surgery, but he looked much more comfortable on the court Wednesday night in Boston's opener against the Brooklyn Nets. He finished the game with 13 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in just under 30 minutes of playing time.
Boston won, 121-105.
