5 trade destinations for Rajon Rondo

With franchise center Marc Gasol out for the season with a broken leg, the Memphis Grizzlies aren’t getting out of the first round in the Western Conference Playoffs, assuming that they can still get their without Gasol.

This injury to Gasol could serve as the impetus to break up the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies, as their slow and physical pace is becoming increasingly antiquated in the NBA today. One trade that could make some since for the Grizzlies to make is to strike up a deal with Sacramento Kings for Rondo.

Surely, the Grizzlies would have to send point guard Mike Conley to Sacramento, but since Conley is still very much in his prime as a player, the Grizzlies could command a future first round pick from the Kings in addition to acquiring Rondo.

Rondo would stand as a stop-gap point guard while the Grizzlies search for a better replacement for Conley. However, if they can steal a first round pick or a series of other interesting assets from the Kings, it may not seem all that crazy of a deal as it does at this moment.

Rondo would get the opportunity to run an offense for a defense-first team under head coach Dave Joerger. Memphis doesn’t feel like a team that is due for a massive rebuilding period and with another trade or two could have a better equipped team to contend in the West built around Gasol.

Because Rondo would now play in the Southwest Division again, he would have four annual opportunities to try to single-handedly destroy Rick Carlisle’s Dallas Mavericks. An angry Rondo against a so-so defense like the Mavericks sounds like many near triple-double performances.

Conley to the Kings would make Sacramento a playoff team next year and the Grizzlies would hold their own with Rondo at the point. The future draft pick might make the Grizzlies seriously consider this trade possibility with the Kings.

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