Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 9:00 am  |  131 responses

Report: Celtics ‘Aggressively’ Shopping Rajon Rondo


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Rajon Rondo is reportedly on the trading block once again. In related news, the sun rose in the East this morning.

With trade rumors swirling, Rondo led the Boston Celtics to victory last night, while recording a triple double along the way (his third of the season.)

According to ESPN, the C’s front-office no longer wants Rajon largely because of his off-the-court attitude:

The Celtics find Rondo’s personality to be too high-maintenance and his clashes with coach Doc Rivers remain an off-court distraction, sources said, and the front office is now actively pitching him to other teams. With the Celtics realizing they are no longer title contenders, they don’t believe his point guard prowess is worth the headaches Rondo brings, sources say. And they do not want to build around him.

In December, the Celtics had discussions with Golden State about a Stephen Curry-for-Rondo deal, and one source says it was Golden State that decided against pulling the trigger. But Curry’s recent ankle injuries, which have caused him several problems in his short career, have given the Celtics pause. The potential trade is still being discussed by Boston’s braintrust, but they aren’t sure they want to go forward with it. It also isn’t clear whether the Warriors would be willing to do it. Other players would have to be thrown in to make it work financially.

Danny Ainge acknowledged earlier this season that Rondo’s name came up in trade talks when the Celtics tried to acquire Chris Paul from the Hornets, but he said he wasn’t shopping Rondo per se and that his name came up only because Ainge was trying to add a player of Paul’s caliber. “I was not trying to trade Rajon Rondo,” Ainge told Boston sports radio WEEI in January. “There’s a big difference between trying to acquire a player and trying to trade a player.” If the Celtics are now actively shopping Rondo, it would seem to be a change of course.

GM Danny Ainge has been very upfront about wanting to shake things up, and these trade rumors only add fuel to the rampant speculation that this is the current team’s last run together.

The Boston Celtics climbed back up to .500 with their win over the Milwaukee Bucks last night, and Rajon Rondo was the catalyst. He’s also, apparently, no longer wanted. What a strange, depressing season this has been so far in Beantown.

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  • Jordan Yucannaka

    If Ainge had decided to trade Rajon,he did his own mistake once again.Drafting Gerald Green,Stephon Marbury,trading Perkins for shh,and now he wants to trade Rondo??man what is this guy thinking bout??Rondo’s the one who helped the whole Big3 to win the champ.

  • omphalos

    Rondo for Rubio, Beasley, Randolph would be a decent trade both ways, wolves get a
    Championship calibre pg with better D and more experience, and the Cs get young talent in Beasley, a replacement PG in Rubio and a decent bench player in Randolph.

    That said, Ainge is an idiot for considering trading Rondo, because he’d be the main attraction in luring Howard to Beantown. Rondo is probably causing headaches because the Celtics are losing and he was snubbed from the all-star game initially.

  • Martin Vigil

    Rondo for Calderon, 2 first rounders, and a bag of basketballs, and free gatorade for a year, and wrinkle cream for garnett and ray allen

  • ERNIED

    I like Devin Harris and I like Big Al. Trade Rondo, JO and the Clippers 1st rounder for both of them.

    PF/C-Big AL (Wilcox)
    PF/C-KG (Bass)
    SF-Pierce
    PG- Harris
    SG-Allen

    Next season would see them with
    PF-Bass
    C-Big Al
    SF-Pierce
    PG-Harris
    SG-Green

    Assuming they re-sign Jeff Green, and not Ray Allen. Also assuming they don’t make a big splash n FA. Monta Ellis and David Lee would be a couple of nice players to get. Especially Lee’s rebounding. He killed the C’s when he was a Knick.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    (by makes sense, I mean too me – and they are all legal trades)
    . Rondo for Tyreke Evans and John Salmons makes sense.
    . Rondo for Steve Nash makes sense.
    . Rondo & Allen for Danny Granger, Darren Collison, & Lance Stephenson makes sense
    . Rondo, O’neal, Bradley for Felton, Batum, Camby & 2 Picks.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Nick Tha Quick

    I’m no GM but Rondo for Lin straight-up would make a helluva trade. Boston gets their hometown(kinda) kid, Knicks get a true PG, Iamorange predicts another championship, Lin excels away from the intense spotlight.

  • Gear

    Rondo for Brandon Jennings

  • http://Www.facebook.com Kyle

    @nbk yes rondo a young talented championship winning all star for a 38 year old who will be done in two years, does not make sense at all.
    Rondo and Allen for grander and others, does not make sense unless you move Paul pierce to the 2 guard
    The camby/Felton trade is just DUMB long term
    And the sac town trade actually makes sense.
    You guys are undervaluing Rondo.

  • http://Www.facebook.com Kyle

    Granger*

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Kyle, do you know anything about how rebuilding works?
    .
    Look at the lengths of contracts. Magically, my trades all leave Boston with more cap space then any team in the NBA this summer. (something Danny Ainge loves)
    .
    Like the Camby/Felton trade, those are 3 expiring contracts, one of which is Nicolas Batum (who is a very very good player).
    .
    Plus, if you haven’t noticed, Kevin Garnett’s contract expires this summer, same with Ray Allen. SO no matter what happens, Boston will look pretty different next season, might as well add some young talent while they have a chance.

  • Paul H

    I think Boston might resign Allen or KG at bargain basement prices. Both would be worth holding on to If the price Is right.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    @ Allen – I see your point, but I would contend that what Rondo excels at is creating opportunities for people to score. If you have Harden and KD shouldering the primary scoring load, Rondo going off from time to time, plus his ability to create opportunities for others who are not great scorers, I think it provides a little more balance. I mean, how many great scorers does a team need to win? Just my opinion though. I feel like OKC is a really good team, but they’re just not built for playoff success.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    I called it.
    July 26, 2011.
    Called it before then, too.
    Feeling intelligent right now.

  • http://www.michaelcho.com M Cho

    It’s weird that the Celtics front office let this leak. I mean, all this negative talk about Rondo being a pain off-court would surely weaken his trade value, right?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Slick Ric

    @allenp, that’s only because the bulls don’t want that bum lebron.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    M Cho – No, his trade value is pretty set, his issues with Doc are well documented, plus, Danny Ainge is the most open GM in the league about what he’s doing. He did this too Rondo last season while Rondo was averaging 13 assists a game.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Nearly every professional athlete is a pain in the ass off the court/field/link.

  • Mike

    I’m with Wayno on this one, thunder are my favorite team but I think Westbrook Durant combo is numbered. Westbrook has no desire to be the second option after Durant. Just wait till they lose in the playoffs to see how they really feel about each other haha. I think rondo there would make Perkins play harder, ibaka and rondo could easily have double doubles regularly with Durant putting up 30 a night and harden putting up 20. I think slowing down your offense and ball movement play a huge part in winning rings, something the thunder cant do

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    slick ric
    I know. that’s why i used that example.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    lol

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Rondo means they would have three non scorers on the floor in crunch time. And, other teams could more easily load up on Durant and Harden.
    Remember, the Celtics had three legit scorers in Pierce, Garnett and Allen and Rondo still hurt their spacing. They won in spite of it, but it hurt them.

  • B.C.

    How about this trade? http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7mon65b
    Then just trade artest for Ariza and release Steve Blake. Guaranteed championship.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Whatchu think of those trades I posted AP?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I think that Indiana wouldn’t do the Granger one.
    I think that Boston would jump at it and seriously consider the Sacramento one, but might now want to gamble on Tyreke because he hasn’t shown consistency.
    the Portland one seems like a lot for Portland to give up for Rondo and scrubs.
    The Nash one is unlikely unless Boston is just blowing up the team next year.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    - I was thinking Indiana wants to make room for Paul George to play the 3 while gaining some cap flexibility this summer to make a run at Eric Gordon.
    - The Nash one is a pipe-dream of mine

  • http://guyism.com/sports/michael-jordan-selling-chicago-area-home-for-29-million-dollars.html Caboose

    Trade options:
    Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O’Neal to the Suns
    Steve Nash to the Magic
    Jameer Nelson, Marcin Gortat, Jason Richardson, and Top 5 protected 2014 Suns pick to the Celtics.
    ———–
    Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce to the Kings.
    DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Garnett, Tyreke Evans to the Magic.
    Dwight Howard and JJ Hickson to the Celtics.
    ———–
    Rajon Rondo, Michael Beasley, Jermaine O’Neal, and Derrick Williams to the Lakers.
    Pau Gasol and Brandon Bass to the Timberwolves.
    Andrew Bynum and Darko Milicic to the Celtics
    ———–
    Rajon Rondo to the Bobcats
    Kemba Walker, Boris Diaw, and Top 3 Protected pick through 2013

  • http://slamonline dan

    Rondo to Orlando ….. may make Howard think twice before leaving…….

  • james

    wow i had no idea rondo had such a bad attitude but im sure their are tons of players that argue with their coach but either way that doesn’t help Boston or rondo when Boston’s managers put their business on blast however i think any team that does decide to acquire rajon will be happy to have him i hope

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Caboose
    The Lakers would get shafted in thatdeal you proposed and be a much worse team.
    In the second deal, the Celtics would basically gut their team for Dwight and then lose him in free agency because they have no assets.
    In the first deal, the Celtics would make out like bandits. And, you’re assuming that Nash and Rondo have equal or similar value to the Suns. They don’t.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    The Kings can’t do that trade anyway. They’d be taking in like 300% more money then they’d be giving up.

  • http://guyism.com/sports/michael-jordan-selling-chicago-area-home-for-29-million-dollars.html Caboose

    ^They’re not perfect deals, but it’s fun to come up with options, right? The Lakers deal saves them money in the short run. Dwight said he’d love to play for Boston, but yeah, that team would be threadbare. In the first one, take out the Suns pick.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Oh it’s tons of fun.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    The Lakers don’t really want to save money. They just don’t want to get Beasley and are trying to come up with a plausible excuse.

  • Paul H

    I don’t see Nash going anywhere till the end of the season. If the Lakers could bring him In as a free agent. thats two of there biggest problems alleviated, 3 point shooting and point guard play. Everyone keeps talking complete overhaul for L.A. You through someone like Nash, and a few smaller pick ups for the bench, that team Is well capable of prying Kobe out his sixth ring. Dallas Is still the favorite to land Nash under than scenario but still.

  • http://guyism.com/sports/michael-jordan-selling-chicago-area-home-for-29-million-dollars.html Caboose

    Fair enough Allen. I was just working on the assumption that the Lakers wanted three things: Save money, Point guard, Youth.

  • http://dodgers.com Joey E.

    do the lakers really have a shot at rondo? sounds crazy if the celtics want to rebuild. Pau isnt exactly a young talent anymore

  • Paul H

    *throw

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Everyone should read Pete’s article on Wilt.

  • Cody

    As a Jazz fan we know we need a better point guard and Rondo fits a Utah Jazz system where you need a pass first point guard.

    Utah Jazz recieve PG Rajon Rondo
    Boston Celtics Recieve PG Devin Harris, PF Paul Milsap, 1st Round Draft Pick

  • Tim

    trade Pierce, not rondo. rondo is the reason they are at 500

  • SikhWitIt

    Reminds me of Gary Payton’s early days in Seattle when he clashed with Coach Karl. Boston would be dumb to trade him for a guy like Curry. They need to find a way to deal with Rondo, clear cap space, and build through the draft or free agency.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Henkenzo

    They won’t trade pierce.
    He was too loyal last 13 years. That would be a punk move. Not a celtics move.
    When Rondo gets traded away, it will be awhile for him to be that good again…

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    SMH at the Celtics. Talk about falling on your sword.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Paul Pierce has no trade value. His contract is too big and long for a player that old who is only going to give you 20PPG maximum.

  • Heals

    Gotta love C’s fans, they kiss Danny’s a$$ for 3+ years and cheer his moves, no he’s gotta go. Bunch of ucking jokers all of ya! How about Bass for Baby, not overpaying Posey, did ya’ll see Perk during the playoffs (knee wasn’t right til this season), they claimed Lin off waivers when Hou got em’ and when NYK got em’, but were lower on the claims list, draft has been hit and miss (but picking late rounders that’s gonna happen), he set them up for a great run in Free Agency (I think they miss out, but still solid strategy). Otis effing Smith, good lord, he signed Lewis to one of worst contracts EVER, traded it for Gil, wouldn’t resign Hedo then traded for his contract 1 1/2 years later. Danny’s made many flawed decisions, but the backlash against him from C’s fans is too comical. Cause it’s not like they did the same thing to Doc 4 years ago…

  • Heals

    Orange be careful my man, look at NYK’s cap space with Amar’e, Ty and Melo going forward. This same thing is going to take place over the next few years with your squad when ya’ll find out that that trio can’t get it done together (ain’t no team in world trading for STAT’s contract)…

  • bdogg

    hey this is easy to see. like the jazz deal and than doc can get his don…austin will be in the L next year…i could see austin rockin C green next year!

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    @Heals you’re absolutely delusional if you believe “the same thing is going to take place over the next few years” with the Knicks. I’m telling you right now, the Knicks are primed up for a long run…longer than the C’s just had. Put that in your Boston pipe and smoke it.

  • miss2saint

    A lot of the greats had/has bad attitudes: Kobe, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, LeBron, etc. But I do think Rondo should check his self because he is still considered up and coming. Not quite there yet. And good point-guards come a dime a dozen , not to mention his shooting average is quite low compared to Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and the list goes on…

  • Heals

    ^^^Check the cap situation dupe, 50 mil for your best 3 players going forward and no pg, now that’s delusional…

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