Rondo’s looming free agency could be a road block for any team interested in trading for him. Teams aren’t going to surrender 1st round picks w/o an assurance Rondo would consider re-signing with them. It appears Houston and Dallas have that assurance, per CBS Sports Ken Berger:
With Celtics president Danny Ainge seriously engaging several teams on Rondo trade scenarios, a league source told CBSSports.com Thursday that the point guard is open to re-signing with at least two of them — the Mavericks and Rockets.
Other teams, including the Lakers and Knicks, have been on the periphery of talks. But Ainge is unlikely to deal Rondo within the conference, much less within the division. As for the Lakers, who can offer a top-five protected pick in 2015 and Steve Nash’s $9.7 million expiring contract (paid mostly by insurance), they are viewed as more of an option for Rondo in free agency next summer if he is not traded by the Feb. 19 deadline.
Given Rondo’s looming unrestricted free agency, any deal would have to come with assurances that he’d be willing to re-sign with his new team. While those discussions have yet to take place with agent Bill Duffy since no trade agreement is in place, a person familiar with Rondo’s thinking said the possibility of competing for championships in Dallas or Houston intrigues him.
In his weekly interview with 98.5, Danny Ainge played his usual hand:
“I wouldn’t say it’s any different from any year,” said Ainge. “December 15, there are a lot of rumors because conversations are happening. December 15 is the magical date where players who signed in the offseason can be traded. This is a hot rumor time, and there is a hot rumor time in the middle of February. But from mid-December to February there is a lot of discussion with most teams. We’re having a lot of discussion, just like we do every year.”
I haven’t had a chance to listen to the interview yet, but some folks on Twitter said Danny had a less than warm tone during the interview. Have a listen and interpret for yourself.
