NBA Trade Rumors: Rajon Rondo To Sacramento? Rumor Spreads That Celtics' Captain Going West Before Season Starts!
The NBA Trade rumors have moved away from Kevin Love since it’s already accepted as a done deal. The next trade target is Rajon Rondo. Also a member of next year’s possible free agent class, Rondo may not be agreeable to the slow rebuild forced upon the Boston Celtics.
Source: Sacramento Kings/Boston Celtics deal now at "80 percent" to be completed before season. Deal includes McLemore, Williams for Rondo
— T-Spence (@tspence26) August 17, 2014
The Celtics are accumulating young talent and draft picks, and they already have a significant war chest. However, it was not the package that the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted. They were hoping to hit two birds with one stone in that trade, but it was a long shot even before Cleveland became a player.
Now, with the tweet above, another aggressive gambler, the Sacramento Kings who are eager to make a splash (even if it sacrifices the long term) are willing to take Rondo despite his possible departure.
The Kings let go of promising rookie Isaiah Thomas and signed aging Darren Collison in a head-scratching move. It seems like they were really grooming Rondo for the starting “one” spot.
Basketball Insiders had a reality check on the Celtics:
“I don’t get the sense that Boston ‘wants’ to trade Rondo, but there is the specter of him walking for nothing and that has to be accounted for.
If the Celtics cannot get a sense of commitment from Rondo beyond this year, they have to trade him or risk losing him for nothing in return.”
This is the same position that Minnesota was in with regards to Kevin Love.
“Rondo is considered the top obtainable free agent in the 2015 free agent class and he is likely going to command a max level, or near max level contract.”
With Love and LaMarcus Aldridge seemingly locked by their teams, Rondo would be the glittering prize. Danny Ainge would definitely try to pry more from the Kings than McLemore and Williams and the Kings would probably oblige. However, neither team nor its representatives have given credence to the rumor at hand. At least, not yet.
