Rajon Rondo-Russell Westbrook backcourt ‘fascinating’ possibility
Every NBA team has probably been rumored to be a destination for Boston Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo. So, it’s no surprise that every option is being reconsidered. Even teams that have established point guards could be in play for a Rondo trade — even Oklahoma City.
More from Boston Celtics
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- Boston Celtics projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- David Griffin thanks rival Celtics for leverage in Anthony Davis trade talks
- NBA rumors: Damian Lillard trade becoming more trouble than it’s worth for Celtics
“The Thunder could be one to watch,” Sporting News’ Deveney told Celtics Blogs’ Jeff Clark. “They have pieces to shed in a sign-and-trade, and a Russell Westbrook-Rondo backcourt would be fascinating. Might not work financially, but it’s a possibility…”
The Rondo-Westbrook would be fun to watch. Rondo is a great distributor and Westbrook a great scorer. But perhaps their games wouldn’t mesh because they are so opposite. Kemba Walker and Rondo might be a better pairing. Walker does well moving without the ball and doesn’t need it to score.
“Charlotte has young pieces to offer and they’ve been slowly building toward making that one big move that pushes them to the next level. Not sure it’s Rondo, but he would be an upgrade,” Deveney said.
The Phoenix backcourt may be too crowed — and possibility getting more crowded with the news that they are frontrunners to acquire Zoran Dragic. If teams like Minnesota and Phoenix can run backcourts with two point guards, why can’t a team like Houston?
“Remember, a lot of teams have really good point guards, but they are more like shooting guards,” Deveney said, “and teams are more willing to try playing those combinations together, as Phoenix and Minnesota did last year and as teams like Utah and Orlando are likely to try this year. It might not work, and teams might start shying away from it. But increasingly, the shooting guard spot is not what it used to be in the Michael Jordan heyday, and teams will either have a spot-up shooter or a second point guard there.”