Rajon Rondo Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Rajon Rondo Rumors: Thursday

March 1st, 2012 at 6:18pm CST by Luke Adams

As Rajon Rondo rumors heated up yesterday, the Celtics' point guard went out and put up a triple-double on the Bucks, en route to a 102-96 win. Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that Rondo was happier about the job he did on defense, holding Brandon Jennings to six points on 2-of-11 shooting. While we wait to see if the 26-year-old continues to play at the top of his game amidst trade rumors, let's round up today's Rondo items right here (newest items on top)….

A Celtics source reiterated to NBA.com's David Aldridge that Rondo is not on the trading block, despite the recent surge of interest (link via Twitter).
Appearing on WEEI in Boston, GM Danny Ainge said of Rondo, "I've made zero calls to try to trade him, and I won't" (link via ESPN Boston).
Celtics coach Doc Rivers told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston he's tired of hearing reports suggesting he and Rondo don't get along, or reports that the Celtics are shopping Rondo: "My relationship with Rajon is as strong as it has ever been. Our communication has never been better. I want him here. I can say with almost 100% certainty he will be here with us when the season ends."
Within MacMullan's piece, two GMs who were involved (as potential third teams) in trade talks involving Rondo and Chris Paul in the offseason confirmed they haven't received calls regarding Rondo since then.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are drawing more trade interest than Rondo, reports A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Asked about Rondo's future, Ainge said, "I anticipate him being here for a long time," according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Ainge added that he isn't actively shopping Rondo, who Ainge says is getting along "better than ever" with Rivers.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe hears from a source that the Celtics are just listening to offers on Rondo, rather than actively trying to dump him. ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported yesterday that the Celtics were aggressively shopping Rondo, which echoed an earlier report that suggested Boston was initiating talks involving its point guard. Either way, it's clear the Celtics are at least talking about Rondo with teams.
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Sam Smith of Bulls.com said he thinks GM Danny Ainge will try to make a "big splash" by dealing Rondo, adding that the point guard and Rivers don't get along well (hat tip to CSNNE.com). Broussard expressed a similar sentiment on SportsCenter (via ESPNBoston.com): "[Rondo] has trouble taking constructive criticism and he does clash a lot with Doc Rivers. They know he's a great player. They're not going to just give him away. But they feel like they probably can't rebuild around him because of the problems they do have with clashing with his personality."

Amico On Rondo, Sessions, Watson, Warriors

March 1st, 2012 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

In his latest piece for FOX Sports Ohio, Sam Amico talks Rajon Rondo, Ramon Sessions, and other trade candidates. Here's what Amico has for us:

Amico hears from an NBA executive that the Celtics "hardly feel desperate" to trade Rondo, despite reports suggesting Boston is aggressively shopping its point guard. The same exec wonders if the Celtics could package Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal in the same deal.
A source says it would be "a miracle" if Sessions is a Cavalier past the trade deadline, even though the team "wouldn’t be against keeping him." At one point, it seemed as if the Lakers may ramp up their pursuit of Sessions, but Amico's source isn't sure if that's happened yet.
C.J. Watson is drawing interest, and while the Bulls are happy with his play, they'll listen to offers.
Amico is the latest reporter to hear that a Monta Ellis-to-Orlando deal is highly unlikely, due to the Magic's lack of non-Dwight Howard assets.

Odds & Ends: Rondo, Curry, Lin

February 29th, 2012 at 10:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

With just about every team back in action after the All-Star break, here are a few leap day notes from around the league:

The Celtics have intensified their efforts to trade Rajon Rondo, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN. Broussard says sources have told him the Celtics consider Rondo to be too high maintenance, and so the team is considering a deal with the Warriors for Stephen Curry that's been percolating since December. Other players would have to be in such a deal for it to work. ESPN's Chris Forsberg also contributed to the report.
Shabazz Muhammad, a premier college prospect who currently sits atop the class of potential 2013 draftees according to NBADraft.net, could be in trouble with the NCAA, report Jeff Goodman and Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com. The NCAA has informed schools recruiting Muhammad that his amateur status is in question. According to Goodman and Parrish, there are concerns that the 6'5", 210-pound shooting guard has been receiving payments for unofficial visits to campuses, among other benefits. Since NBA draft rules prohibit Muhammad from entering the league until a year after his high school class graduates, he may be forced to head overseas next year.
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com doesn't see much truth in the rumored swap of Lamar Odom and Steve Nash, unless several other components are involved.
It seems every other day we find out about another team that came close to signing Jeremy Lin, but whiffed. Today that team is the Italian club Banca Tercas Teramo, reports Adam Zagoria of SNY. The team was "extremely close" to signing him, Lin said, but they went with Charles Jenkins instead.
The Chris Paul trade may have transformed the Clippers, but since amnesty claim Chauncey Billups was lost for the year with an Achilles' tear, the Clips have gone 5-5 and appear to have lost their mojo, as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times examines.
Before handing the Spurs just their second home loss of the season, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau praised San Antonio's ability to identify and nurture the talent necessary to keep the team on top, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. Thibodeau hopes the Bulls can copy that model.
Jazz swingman Josh Howard, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has responded well since Raja Bell's injury forced him into the starting lineup, notes Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune.

Broussard On Gasol, Rondo, Ellis, Beasley, Kaman

February 29th, 2012 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to providing an update on the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, Chris Broussard shares rumors about a handful of big-name trade candidates in his latest Insider-only ESPN.com column. Let's dive in….

The Rockets still have interest in Pau Gasol but want to build around Kyle Lowry rather than include him in any Gasol deal. The Timberwolves haven't talked to the Lakers in months about Gasol, while the Bulls have shown some interest in the Spaniard.
Sources tell Broussard that the Celtics have determined they're not title contenders this year and would prefer to move Rajon Rondo rather than deal with the "headaches" he brings.
Broussard hears that if Monta Ellis were traded, the Warriors guard would like to join the Lakers, Bulls, or Magic (alongside Dwight Howard), but none of those scenarios appear realistic.
The Timberwolves offered Michael Beasley to the Lakers in exchange for the higher of L.A.'s two first-round picks, but were turned down. The Lakers are torn on Beasley — because L.A. is over the tax line, the team would be adding more than just Beasley's $6.26MM cap figure. I imagine they'd also prefer to use their trade exception to acquire a point guard.
The Hornets' asking price for Chris Kaman has dropped since earlier in the season. They're seeking a draft pick, even just a second-rounder, for the center.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are "virtually untouchable" but the Blazers would talk about anyone else on their roster, particularly Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace.

Kyler On Rondo, Diaw, Mavs, Ellis, Scola

February 28th, 2012 at 10:18am CST by Luke Adams

Over at HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler kicks off a quick look at trade possibilities for all 30 teams, running alphabetically from Atlanta through Houston. Let's check out a few of Kyler's notes….

The general belief is that Rajon Rondo will remain a Celtic past March 15th unless Boston is blown away by an offer.
Bobcats sources say the team has received inquiries on Boris Diaw, who has an expiring contract worth $9MM.
Sources close to the Mavericks say the team views Rodrigue Beaubois and Dominique Jones as "possible sweeteners" in an offseason sign-and-trade deal for Dwight Howard or Deron Williams.
If the Warriors decide to move Monta Ellis, any deal may have to include a contract like David Lee's or Andris Biedrins' as well. According to Kyler's sources, the Warriors offered Ellis to the 76ers for Andre Iguodala at the start of the season.
Concerns about Luis Scola's knees may make it tough for the Rockets to find full value for him on the trade market.
For more on the ten teams covered in Kyler's piece, check out our Assessing Stocks series, which, coincidentally, has covered the same ten clubs.

Ray Allen Drawing Interest

February 27th, 2012 at 11:48am CST by Luke Adams

The direction the Celtics will take over the next two and a half weeks is still unknown. If they decide to blow up the roster though, Ray Allen and not Rajon Rondo may be the team's most-coveted trade chip. According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News (via Twitter), Allen has generated more interest than Rondo to date.

While Rondo is the more attractive long-term asset, Allen would require a smaller package and intrigue contenders in need of a shooter. Teams like the Clippers or Timberwolves would probably love to add Allen for a possible playoff run. Plus, the 36-year-old's $10MM salary makes his one of the largest expiring contracts in play this season.

The Celtics have a number of options as March 15th approaches, and it's possible the team hangs onto its veteran players for one more postseason run. Although the team, as constructed, likely isn't a title contender, holding onto its veterans would allow Boston to clear plenty of salary this summer. Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Jermaine O'Neal alone have expiring contracts that total about $38MM.

Daniel Seco of Hoops Rumors examined Allen as a trade candidate two weeks ago.

Coon On Lakers, Rockets, Celtics

February 26th, 2012 at 12:33pm CST by Chuck Myron

Salary cap expert and burgeoning Twitter star Larry Coon unleashed a stream of tweets today on several topics. Here are some of the highlights:

The Lakers are considering a swap with the Blazers for point guard Raymond Felton, who was recently benched. The Lakers would be able to fit Felton's $7.5MM salary in using part of their $8.9MM trade exception acquired in the Lamar Odom deal.
Gilbert Arenas could be the fallback option at point guard if the Lakers don't get Felton or Ramon Sessions from the Cavs.
The Rockets are still hot after Pau Gasol, but their unwillingness to part with Kyle Lowry makes a deal with the Lakers unlikely unless additional teams are involved.
In a rumored deal involving Rajon Rondo and Gasol, the Lakers would seek Brandon Bass instead of Jermaine O'Neal. Rondo, Coon says, is "on the outs" in Boston.
If the Celtics are looking to move Ray Allen, Coon reiterated what he's been saying about the interest the Clippers have in him. Complicating such a move is the health of Allen's son, Walker, who has juvenile diabetes and is accustomed to receiving care in the Boston area. The Clippers are also closing in on signing Bobby Simmons.

Odds & Ends: Bogut, Gasol, Kings

February 26th, 2012 at 9:54am CST by Chuck Myron

Peter Vecsey, in the same column in which he revealed the Knicks as potential suitors for Dwight Howard, hears that the Bucks are "definitely open to offers" for Andrew Bogut, who's currently out with a fractured left ankle. He also says the rumored signing of Rasheed Wallace by the Lakers lends credibility to the idea that the team could send Pau Gasol to the Celtics for Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal. Here's the rest of what's being whispered around All-Star weekend.

Restricted free agent Wilson Chandler's Chinese team has been eliminated from the playoffs, and he's expecting FIBA clearance soon, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Yesterday we noted that Chandler's clearance has been delayed. He's been a target of the Nuggets, his former team, and the Raptors of late.
A meeting today between Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, the Maloof brothers and league officials could be make-or-break for the city's hopes to keep the Kings, writes Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com delves into the finer points of the lockout negotiations, and notes how close the league came to canceling the entire season.
Celtics team president Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers must turn into salesmen to attract top free agent talent to Boston as the team looks to replace its aging core, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
To get the Hornets to trade Chris Kaman to the Heat, it would take Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, a price Miami is unwilling to pay, observes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Swingman Mike Dunleavy, who signed a two-year, $7.5MM free-agent deal with the Bucks this past offseason, is getting comfortable in what was already familiar territory in Wisconsin, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's worth noting, though, that Dunleavy's dad is part of what's reportedly the leading potential ownership group for the Hornets.
Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside chronicles the fall of one-time top prospect Reeves Nelson.
Fred Kerber of the New York Post looks at how free-agent-to-be Deron Williams is showcasing his talents with little help in New Jersey.

Celtics Initiating Rondo Trade Talks

February 17th, 2012 at 1:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Trade rumors have swirled around Rajon Rondo ever since the NBA's lockout ended, and according to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld, the ongoing rumblings aren't a result of mere speculation. Citing "multiple front office sources," Ingram reports the Celtics are initiating trade discussions involving Rondo.

Earlier this season, Celtics GM Danny Ainge insisted he wasn't trying to trade Rondo, stressing the difference between listening to offers on a player and aggressively shopping him. While Ainge may not be actively trying to ship Rondo out of town, the point guard, who turns 26 next Wednesday, is one of the team's few valuable young assets, as Hoops Rumors' Jesse Blanchard wrote last week. It wouldn't be a surprise if any trade inquiry Ainge makes leads to a discussion of Rondo sooner or later.

Within his HoopsWorld piece, Ingram singles the Utah Jazz out as a potential trade partner for the Celtics, arguing that a swap centered around Rondo and Paul Millsap would make sense. However, there's no indication any talks have occurred between Boston and Utah.

Celtics Interested In Pau Gasol

February 7th, 2012 at 7:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The Celtics have interest in Lakers big man Pau Gasol in a deal involving Rajon Rondo, sources tell Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. There's no indication that the two sides have discussed such a deal, however.

In an interview with Mike Trudell of Lakers.com, General Manager Mitch Kupchak indicated that he would like make a move to rejuvenate the team's aging backcourt. "Well, if there were a way for us to get a 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard we'd love to do it … but that's not likely in February. So you look at other alternatives, and see if it's better than what you have. That's all," the GM explained.

Rondo would fit the profile of a "25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard" and Pincus writes that those comments could be a tell. Then again, one would be hard pressed to find a GM who wouldn't have some interest in the Kentucky product.

Gasol, would give the C's another option on the inside along Kevin Garnett, who is in the final year of his deal. Boston could have considerable cap room this summer but there hasn't been any buzz about the club luring stars such as Dwight Howard or Deron Williams.