The Boston Celtics have been involved in trade rumors early in the season and while that was not unexpected, so far the deals for Rajon Rondo have not made any sense and the team has made it clear that they would rather trade names like Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace and Courtney Lee and some teams that could fit includes the Thunder, Knicks, Bulls or Miami Heat.
The Celtics are coming into the season with obviously low expectations after trading away Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and that is one reason why everyone assumes they will trade Rondo. Danny Ainge has said that the team isn't planning on moving Rondo anytime soon and if they do, they are expecting a big name player in return as well as potential draft picks. The team is positioning themselves to rebuild and the team is looking to deal Wallace or Humphries, as they would like to get some salary cap relief from the top contracts on the roster and that is why they have spoken to the Knicks about potentially moving Wallace and the Knicks have been interested in trading Amar'e Stoudemire.
The Knicks don't want to take money into 2015 and that is why the Wallace deal may not happen, as the team is looking forward to getting the contracts of Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Andrea Bargnani off of the books and that may get the team out of the running for that move. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are interested in moving those names apart from Rondo, as they want some more cap flexibility and the ability to make some moves.
Humphries is a double-double potential player every night and teams could be interested in getting him and he at least has a manageable expiring contract at $12 million this season. Wallace's deal is ridiculous and it might be hard trading him since he still makes $21.2 million after this season and while the Celtics would love to move him, they likely will end up taking a big contract back in return. The Celtics have started off better than anyone expected, even with a 4-8 record, but the team clearly will be in the bottom of the east and as long as that continues, the rumors involving Rondo will as well.
ESPN.com reports that the Celtics have a high price tag on Rondo and that anyone looking to trade for him should expect to give up a "cornerstone" type player. Rondo is still returning from ACL surgery and that will play a factor in things and the team most likely will want to get a top player in return for him in any deal. The Celtics have no reason to entertain a deal yet because teams will have more pressure on them later in the season and since Rondo is out anyway, it is in the best interest of Boston to hang onto him as long as possible.
The Celtics already have $56 million for next season and they will look to shed some salary and if I was a betting man, I'd guess that the names of Wallace and Humphries will be moved before Rondo is this season.
