Post by --------- on Dec 17, 2014 23:14:27 GMT -5
The Boston Celtics are engaged in discussions on several fronts to trade All-Star guard Rajon Rondo, with the Dallas Mavericks emerging as a motivated suitor, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Boston has been exchanging proposals with several teams on Rondo, including the Mavericks and Houston Rockets, sources said.
The Celtics are seeking a package that includes a 2015 first-round draft pick with limited protections and expiring contracts, sources said.
The Mavericks' interest has grown in the past several days, prompting the organization to begin further fact-finding on Rondo, sources said. The Mavericks are searching for ways to close the gap with the first-place Golden State Warriors, and are weighing a Rondo-Monta Ellis backcourt.
As much as ever in Rondo's nine seasons in Boston, the Celtics have left strong impressions with rival organizations that they’re prepared to make a deal that includes him, sources said. Boston has been engaged in discussions described as “serious” in recent days, but no trade agreement is imminent.
Boston's asking price for Rondo remains "pretty high, probably higher than most want to pay," one league official told Yahoo.
Trade talks with Rondo have been focused more in the Western Conference than Eastern, sources said.
Boston has been consistently shopping forward Jeff Green, trying to acquire a package that includes a first-round draft pick, sources said. Rondo being available would suggest Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is prepared to undergo a deeper rebuilding project and push harder for the highest possible draft position in the 2015 NBA draft.
Rondo, 28, will be a free agent in July, and Boston has been reluctant to meet his hope for a maximum – or near max – contract extension. Boston has been pleased with rookie point guard Marcus Smart, and could decide to turn the team over to him in a post-Rondo era.
Rondo has averaged eight points, 10.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds a game this season.
Boston has been exchanging proposals with several teams on Rondo, including the Mavericks and Houston Rockets, sources said.
The Celtics are seeking a package that includes a 2015 first-round draft pick with limited protections and expiring contracts, sources said.
The Mavericks' interest has grown in the past several days, prompting the organization to begin further fact-finding on Rondo, sources said. The Mavericks are searching for ways to close the gap with the first-place Golden State Warriors, and are weighing a Rondo-Monta Ellis backcourt.
As much as ever in Rondo's nine seasons in Boston, the Celtics have left strong impressions with rival organizations that they’re prepared to make a deal that includes him, sources said. Boston has been engaged in discussions described as “serious” in recent days, but no trade agreement is imminent.
Boston's asking price for Rondo remains "pretty high, probably higher than most want to pay," one league official told Yahoo.
Trade talks with Rondo have been focused more in the Western Conference than Eastern, sources said.
Boston has been consistently shopping forward Jeff Green, trying to acquire a package that includes a first-round draft pick, sources said. Rondo being available would suggest Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is prepared to undergo a deeper rebuilding project and push harder for the highest possible draft position in the 2015 NBA draft.
Rondo, 28, will be a free agent in July, and Boston has been reluctant to meet his hope for a maximum – or near max – contract extension. Boston has been pleased with rookie point guard Marcus Smart, and could decide to turn the team over to him in a post-Rondo era.
Rondo has averaged eight points, 10.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds a game this season.
