The Boston Celtics may look at a Rajon Rondo trade at some point this season and teams like the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings are potential destinations for a deal if Danny Ainge makes the trade and this comes after the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart in the first round and he could end up as the point guard for the future for Brad Stevens and the franchise.
Rondo has been mentioned in trade rumors since before last season and since he is coming up to free agency, it's very likely that he will come up until he is signed to an extension or long term deal. Ainge has said that he wants to keep Rondo in Boston, but teams like the Pacers and Rockets could be motivated to make deals after the way this summer went. According to ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein, the Rockets are still looking to make a big move after missing out on Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh in free agency, while the Pacers have been looking at upgrades for George Hill at point guard while also dealing with the Paul Georg injury.
The Celtics have a young team and they are rebuilding with Stevens as head coach and while Rondo is their best player, the team could get some draft picks or players out of him if they make a move. Many felt the drafting of Smart was a signal that the team would look at trading Rondo, but Danny Ainge said the team was looking at talent and that's it at the time. Ainge said that he wants Smart and Rondo to play on the court at the same time and that could give the Celtics some athletic and versatile options in the backcourt.
Smart has played point guard and shooting guard and coming out of Oklahoma State he is considered to be one of the most NBA ready players from the draft. Smart likely would have been a top five pick had he come out last year, but he opted to return for another season and once he slipped, the Celtics jumped in and picked him. The team also has added Evan Turner this offseason and they also drafted James Young. The team is hoping that Tuner can be a solid option off the bench and he comes in after averaging 11 points in four years in his career.
Young is 6-foot-6 and he was the second pick in the first round for the Celtics and they feel that Smart and Young gives the team a solid foundation to build around. The team also added center Tyler Zeller to join Kelly Olynyk in the frontcourt and that could be big for Stevens as he tries to build back the roster after making moves last year.
Rondo is not guaranteed to be traded, but if Ainge gets a deal that he thinks makes the team better long term, he may not have any other option but to consider it. The Celtics have plenty of young talent and potential and they could add more and likely a first round pick or more if they trade Rondo.
