The trade talk for Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo heated up very quickly, and now it looks like there has been a conclusion. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics have agreed to a deal in principle to send Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks:
Trade call coming tonight between Dallas and Boston, Rondo has been traded to the Mavericks, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 18, 2014
The Lakers did talk to the Celtics in regards to acquiring Rondo, but according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, weren’t willing to part with their own 2015 first round pick:
Lakers were willing to part with the first round pick they got from Houston for Rondo. Boston wanted Lakers own first, which could be top 5
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 18, 2014
The Mavericks gave up Brendan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, a 2015 first-round pick and a future second-round pick to get Rondo as well as Dwight Powell. Wright and Crowder are both expiring contracts.
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The Lakers seemed to be involved in serious discussions, but ultimately weren’t willing to give up too much to acquire Rondo. With him now going to Dallas, his reps have reportedly said that Rondo would sign an extension with the Mavericks.
It looks as if any chance of Rondo joining the Lakers is now done, but there are still other free agency options as Goran Dragic and Brandon Knight are both unrestricted free agents while Reggie Jackson is restricted.
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