Would Rajon Rondo be available at the right price?

When Boston Celtics point-guard Rajon Rondo signed a multi-year extension in the Fall of 2009 with the Boston Celtics, the first thing I did was buy a Rajon Rondo jersey. If you know my personally, you know I take the research into my jersey purchases very seriously. I take a look at contracts, general feeling within the organization and local popularity when buying a jersey. The goal is to buy a player that will be in that teams jersey for a long time or if he was to leave and retire would be remembered for wearing that jersey. There were Rondo trade rumors in the summer of 2009, but the Celtics showed their faith in the up and coming star by locking him up for the foreseeable future.

Boston Celtics GM is always looking to improve the Boston Celtics, and this past year has certainly shown that he is willing to break up the family in order to make the team “better” (excuse me while I pour one out for Kendrick Perkins).

The general thought is that if Danny were to make any kind of deal, he would trade one of the Big Three (most likely forward Kevin Garnett) in order to acquire a piece to pair with Rajon Rondo for years to come. It is not entirely out of the question that Rajon Rondo could be the man getting dealt for, as Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix puts it “the right (big) deal”.

Rajon Rondo is a point-guard you can build a team around. He’s a stat sheet stuffer at points, assists and rebounds and makes everyone better while he is on the floor. He also has an inate ability to get to the basket against almost any defense. His issues have been well documented. He doesn’t have a jump shot at this stage in his career and even when he gets an open look from mid-range he lacks the confidence to shoot it. You can build a team around Rondo simply because he makes everyone better, but you need to pair him with a scorer to find success.

Which is why I could see Rondo getting moved, but only for a legitimate star. There are two stars on the trading block this summer, New Orleans’ Chris Paul and Orlando’s Dwight Howard. I think the only way Rondo gets moved if one of these two are involved. Howard solidifies the center position for the Celtics for a long time to come. Chris Paul is also a point-guard, just like Rondo, but Chris Paul is a more talented player than Rondo and would be an upgrade at the “young point guard the Celtics can build around” spot.

The chances that any of these type of deals happens is small, but given Ainge’s recent track record with trades, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on as the summer progresses.