The Boston Celtics have been the most mentioned team in trade rumors in 2014 as the deadline nears and while Rajon Rondo has been written about constantly, it's more likely he won't get traded and some names that the team could go after includes Jimmer Fredette, Larry Sanders, Harrison Barnes, Gordon Hayward, Arron Afflalo and Kenneth Faried.
The Celtics are in rebuilding mode after their trade with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in the offseason and that is why many felt the team could trade Rondo, but so far Danny Ainge has not done that and ha stated he will keep him. Rondo is a franchise player and while they are rebuilding, the team also wants to keep their best asset. The team nearly traded for Omer Asik in December before Boston and Houston could not decide on fair compensation and now they are in a situation where they could get more active as the February 20 date gets closer.
The team has been mentioned as a possible destination for nearly every big name player on the trade market, including for Asik, Kevin Love, Greg Monroe and even Josh SMith at various times, but it's unlikely any of those deals will go down. There hasn't been a major-major blockbuster in a while and that's how most of those would play out, but that doesn't mean the team will sit still at the deadline either. More often than not, the players teams trade for are the ones not being mentioned and that is something that could go down this season.
The Orlando Magic have been one of the worst teams in the league and a name like Arron Afflalo could move, as could Jameer Nelson or Glen Davis. Afflalo would fit in with Brad Steven's offense and he could be a solid option behind Rondo for as long as he stays and with him playing his best right now and averaging a career best 19 points, he is likely to get moved. The Magic have not been close to a deal yet, but as the week goes by that could change, as he is 28 years old and is considered a solid trade asset. The team could look to trade Avery Bradley in a deal along with Brandon Bass and that could be an option for the Magic.
Fredette has long been mentioned as a solid option for Stevens and while he might cost a bit in the short term, he has been coming on as of late and he put in a career high against the Knicks last week. Fredette has played in only 15 minutes per game and his biggest strength is still his long range shooting and he is a career 40 percent shooter and he has been knocking in nearly 50 percent this season. While Fredette has not had much of a chance to prove himself, the Celtics could be an opportunity to do that. Fredette did not have his option picked up and his expiring contract is an attractive one.
Hayward played with Stevens in college and many have written about a deal that could go down to reunite the two, but the Jazz love their young star and won't let him go easy. Harrison Barnes is another interesting young option and the Warriors could look to deal him as well as the deadline gets closer. Larry Sanders was mentioned in trade rumors earlier in the season because of how bad the Bucks have been, but he will be out for over a month with an injury. While the Celtics could give up a nice package for him, the injury will keep him out and that likely keeps him with the Bucks and their 9-43 record.
