The Detroit Pistons Still interested in Rajon Rondo even with Brandon Jennings?

Nov 10, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) (right) dribbles the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) defends during the second quarter at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons worked a sign-and-trade deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and got Brandon Jennings on a discounted contract for $8 million per year over the next three years. For Jennings talent and what he could be worth going forward, that may be a pretty good deal.

Well, the Boston Globe reports that the Pistons are still interested in Rajon Rondo even with Jennings in the fold. Gary Washburn had this to say about it:

"Just because the Pistons acquired Brandon Jennings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bucks doesn’t mean they’ve lost interest in Rajon Rondo. In fact, they could eventually use Jennings as a trade chip and seek to acquire Rondo. There are going to be several interested parties in Rondo, and that number could increase when he shows he’s fully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgeryvia Boston Globe"

If this is true, then the Detroit Pistons may now have the ammunition to acquire Rondo from the Celtics. It isn’t going to be an easy deal to make–especially without a first round pick to give. But with Jennings, who is a talent at the point guard position, and a rising star in Andre Drummond, the Pistons may have two pieces that could start a fire for a deal here.

It doesn’t have to necessarily be done now, either. Both sides can wait until further into the season or even next offseason to put together a deal. By then, we’ll know how good Andre Drummond is in extended minutes, we’ll see how Rondo reacts to coming off of an ACL surgery and we’ll also get to see how Brandon Jennings plays with a chip on his shoulder after not getting what he thinks he’s worth on the open market.

This is interesting because, ideally, Jennings is probably a better fit on this Detroit Pistons team than Rondo. He’s a good enough creator and a willing passer when he has weapons. His shot selection is simply awful and it has been for a majority of his career, but he doesn’t turn the ball over and still has the ability to create decent looks for others.

What makes him a better fit for the Pistons is that he’s a much better shooter than Rondo from deep. Rondo is a better player and a better creator, but with a lack of spacing on this team it’d be hard for even him to maneuver through the defense and penetrate the lane. With Jennings, the Pistons at least have an outlet in post ups and a decent spot up shooter from deep.

I find their interest in Rondo to be pretty intriguing. But Rondo is still on a very good deal and still one of the best players in the NBA today. If you have a chance to get a better talent, you do that in the NBA. That’s what the Pistons would be doing here with a deal for Rondo.