The Celtics are “exhibiting a renewed willingness” to trade point guard Rajon Rondo, sources told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.
“As much as ever in his nine seasons in Boston, the Celtics have left strong impressions with rival organizations that they’re prepared to make a deal that includes Rondo, sources said,” Adrain Wojnarowski and Marc Spears wrote. “Boston has been engaged in discussions described as ‘serious’ in recent days, but no trade agreement is imminent.”
Wojnarowski and Spears also reported, citing sources, that the Celtics’ asking price for Rondo is “pretty high, probably higher than most want to pay” and negotiations involving the four-time All-Star “have been focused more in the Western Conference than Eastern.”
Moving Rondo obviously would be a franchise-shaking decision for Danny Ainge & Co. Although rookie Marcus Smart might be Boston’s point guard of the future, Rondo unquestionably is the team’s most valuable player right now.
Rondo’s scoring production has slipped of late — his 8.0 point-per-game average this season would be the lowest since his rookie year — but he remains one of the game’s elite facilitators. He entered Wednesday night tied with Washington Wizards point guard John Wall for the NBA lead in assists per game (10.6).
Also included in the report is that the Celtics are, per Yahoo! Sports’ sources, shopping forward Jeff Green with the hopes of netting a first-round draft pick in return. Green has played some of the best — and most consistent — basketball of his career this season, averaging a team-best 19.7 points through 22 games.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
