Jan 28, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics point guard
Rajon Rondo(9) puts up a layup over New York Knicks point guard
Raymond Felton(2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
As the Boston Celtics continue to free-fall straight to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, NBA trade rumors continue to pop up around the web about the players wearing green and white. Let’s check out some of the most recent scenarios.
Rajon Rondo Will Not Be Moved By The Trade Deadline
Rest easy, Boston Celtics fans! Well, at least for a little while. In a refreshing change of pace, it would seem that most NBA executives now believe that the Celtics will not be moving Rondo before the NBA trade deadline of February 20. While this is good news, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the Celtics will wind up re-signing their All-Star point guard. According to Ric Bucher
"Several general managers said they would be surprised if Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is traded before the February trade deadline because it will be hard for Boston to receive adequate compensation until all doubts about his return from his ACL surgery are quelled."
In other words, Trader Danny could still wind up shopping Rondo, but only until after his prized point guard proves to the league that he is healthy and still capable of playing at an All-Star level. I don’t know about you, but I’m curious as to how much the Celtics will even play Rondo after the All-Star break. There’s no real reason to play him a ton and risk having him re-injure his knee, or have him suffer a new injury, unless they are trying to display him to would-be suitors, so I’ll be watching his minutes closely and keeping my ears open.
Jeff Green Is Currently The Celtics Player Most Likely To Be Traded, Possibly For Omer Asik Or Emeka Okafor
Jan 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward
Jeff Green(8) dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
The more we hear the Celtics discuss Rondo, and their intentions to engage in contract extension talks with him over the offseason, the more it seems that the point guard could actually be remaining with Boston. Because of that, and because Boston still is in the midst of a rebuild, Jeff Green becomes the man most likely to be traded before the deadline. Green may not have as much value as Rondo, but he is pointing up 16 points and 5 boards a game, and would appear to be a solid addition to a team that is looking to add him as a third option.
We’ve already heard the Asik talk, so there’s no sense in beating that dead horse again. New to the rumors, however, is the mention of Emeka Okafor of the Phoneix Suns. Over his career, Okafor has averaged around 12 points, 10 boards, and two blocked shots per game, so it’s feasible that the Celtics could be looking at him to help them out on defense . . . but more than likely, this is a salary dump, as the Celtics will be shedding themselves of Green’s $10 million while acquiring Okafor’s $14.5 million contract that just so happens to expire at the end of this season.
At this stage in the season, I fully expect Green to be shipped out of town before the trade deadline – but what do I know? Whatever happens with the Boston Celtics, you can be sure I am paying attention and will keep you in the know!