Boston Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo reportedly asked the Celtics for a trade but his camp has denied that rumor. However, the best plan may be to trade Rondo, whether he is asking the Celtics to deal him or not.
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Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes the Celtics will move Rondo prior to the trade deadline.
"What will the Celtics do with Rajon Rondo? That’s the big question in Boston entering the season. Unless the Celtics are able to use some of their young assets and draft picks to land a star player before the trade deadline (like they tried to do with Kevin Love), I think Rondo will be traded. Rondo will be 29 years old when he hits unrestricted free agency next summer and he is used to playing for a contender. I can’t imagine him re-signing with the Celtics as they’re currently assembled, since the franchise is in the midst of a rebuild that requires patience, when he could sign elsewhere and win in the prime of his career. I think Danny Ainge realizes this as well and will move Rondo before the deadline for more young players and draft picks. Holding onto him is too risky since they could lose him without receiving anything in return next summer."
The Celtics have accumulated solid young talent and future draft picks so trading Rondo and continuing to build around their youth seems like the best course of action.
Last season, Rondo averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.3% from the field, 28.9% from beyond the arc and 62.7% from the free throw line. Rondo was originally selected by the Celtics with the 21st-overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. In his eight-year career, he has averaged 11.1 points, 8.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.5% from the floor, 25.2% from three and 62.1% from the free throw line.
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