NBA Rumors: Could Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets swap Rajon Rondo, Chandler Parsons?

The Houston Rockets are expected to heavily pursue a third star this offseason with New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and perhaps Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, who the Rockets will at least continue to ask about.

Another player they will likely to make a run at and who they made a run at last year is Boston Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo.

ESPN’s Marc Stein believes that if the Celtics did send Rondo to the Rockets, they would want forward Chandler Parsons in return.

"It’s inevitable that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will likewise check in his with his old boss Danny Ainge in Boston — as he did before the trade deadline in February -– just to make sure Rajon Rondo isn’t suddenly available……Parsons is the Rocket every rival team tries to steal. Boston would insist on Parsons if Rondo-to-Houston talks ever got serious. Teams are likewise said to be telling the Rockets all the time, when Morey is shopping either Asik or Lin, that it will also cost you Parsons if you’re expecting us to take on one of those infamous balloon payments scheduled to lift both Asik and Lin to the brink of $15 million in annual salary next season … albeit with a salary-cap number of just $8.4 million."

Rondo averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season while Parsons put up 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

The Rockets have until June 29 to decide whether or not to pick up Parsons’ option worth $964,750 next season.