Quote:
Originally Posted by tsar
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12...ks-trade-talks
"The Boston Celtics, after years of flirting with potential Rajon Rondo deals, are in substantive discussions on a trade that would send Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Celtics and Mavericks have been discussing a swap that would furnish Boston with multiple draft picks -- including at least one future first-rounder -- as well as blossoming Mavericks center Brandan Wright and other players needed to make the salary-cap math work.
Sources say the Celtics also have been talking to teams such as the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets about potential Rondo deals, but that the most advanced discussions have been with Dallas.
Rondo shrugged off the latest trade talk Wednesday night after Boston's 109-92 win over the Orlando Magic.
"[Trade talk has been] a way of life since I've been here," he said. "It's just part of it."
Rondo, while maintaining that his preference is to continue his career in Boston, has left little doubt in recent months that he intends to test the market as a free agent in July as opposed to signing an extension with the Celtics. However, sources say that Dallas, amid growing concern about its point guard play and sensing the opportunity to acquire a top-flight player it has coveted for some time, is confident it could win over Rondo for the long term if trade terms can be finalized with the Celtics.
If a trade comes to fruition, Rondo would join Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons in a high-octane starting five.
The risk for Dallas, of course, is that Rondo could leave town in free agency in the summer if he is determined to move on or can't come to terms on a new deal with the Mavericks. That scenario could burn the veteran-laden Mavs, given the multiple quality assets they would have to sacrifice to get him.
It remains to be seen whether Celtics general manager Danny Ainge will continue to try to shop for offers or jump on the assets Dallas is offering in exchange for the mercurial point guard, knowing that he could leave Boston in the summer without the Celtics receiving any compensation.
Although the Celtics have been insisting since the season began that they aren't actively looking to move Rondo, Dallas and Houston are among the teams that have been chasing him for some time. It's believed that the Mavericks are pressing the issue earlier than expected in the season to give Rondo more time to settle in.
The Mavericks began the season with the challenge of integrating two new major pieces in Parsons and the returning Chandler, but concerns have developed through the first quarter of the season about the lack of a top-flight floor leader and shot creator to set up the many weapons at the disposal of coach Rick Carlisle."
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This is the move many people pinpointed as one that could put the Mavericks over the top. Rondo would hurt their spacing but he is such a plus in so many areas on the court it would be hard not to see this as a huge win for Dallas.
Still, would be a killer for front court depth if the Mavericks can't get a min level player back from Boston. Maybe Okafor will become available for the vet min by midseason? Either way, exciting development.