The NBA Trade Rumors are heating up. The Boston Celtics struck out on Kevin Love but are really determined to get him. They are willing to use 'creative ways' to get him, but are they also preparing to offer Rajon Rondo?

The Boston Celtics had the 6^th overall pick in the draft and they did not take the best player available, which was either Julius Randle or Noah Vonleh. Both of them are power forwards. Instead, they took the best player aside from these two: Marcus Smart, who plays point guard-the same position as their star, Rajon Rondo.

There was no question that the Celtics are still pursuing Love. These tweets are clear indications:

Here's something that remains unchanged: Danny Ainge's relentless pursuit of creative ways to engage Minnesota on a Kevin Love deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 5, 2014

Celtics never gave up on pursuing Kevin Love. As I’ve written before, they’re prepared to get creative by involving other teams in a deal. — Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) July 5, 2014

But what if those 'creative ways' strike out? What if Minnesota asks for that one asset that has value from Boston: Rajon Rondo?

The Bostinno hints that the Celtics are already taking contingency measures:

"In addition to re-signing Bradley, the Celtics selected guards Marcus Smart and James Young in the NBA Draft June 26. The backcourt is getting awfully crowded, which could be an indication that Rondo's departure is imminent.

If and when Rondo departs, Bradley will be the most veteran and expensive guard on the Celtics' roster.

If that's not the sign of a rebuilding team, then nothing is."

Avery Bradley is a two-way guard who can play both point and shooting guard positions. He is a good defensive player but he's clearly not on Rondo's level. But who knows, maybe Marcus Smart will be?

Despite all these speculation, Rondo remains unfazed. He was asked on whether he's worried that the Celtics took a point guard. From the Boston Globe:

I don't think nothing of it," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I am who I am."

"I don't have too many feelings involved in this business. I've played my heart out for the game, but business is business. I can be here today, gone tomorrow. You never know. For me to get bent out of shape, or to feel threatened by the Celtics drafting a point guard, it means nothing."

In fact, he is all praises for the two guys mentioned:

"I think we got some good picks, some really good picks. What I like about Smart is that he competes. He kind of reminds me [of myself]. I like the guys that compete and remind me of myself, guys like [Kendrick Perkins]. That's not to say that nobody on the team this year didn't compete. Avery [Bradley] is one of the best competitors that we have in this league."

There's a hint of resignation and acceptance in his response if you read between the lines. He did not say that he'll stay, he just said that he's ready to go. The plot thickens.