NBA Trade News: Rajon Rondo To Indiana Pacers Rumors Gaining Momentum
The Indiana Pacers are reportedly preparing a trade package involving Danny Granger, George Hill and a future NBA draft pick for Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, multiple sources reported on Monday.
The Pacers might be lording on top of the Eastern Conference for now, but they seem aware that their current roster may not be enough to get them past the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat in the playoffs.
According to the latest trade rumors, the Pacers are reportedly proposing a trade that would give them the Celtics' premier playmaker. In return, the Celtics will be receiving Granger, Hill and a future first round pick.
How Blockbuster Trade Works
Knowing the Celtics are not a championship team anymore and it may take some time for the franchise to reach elite level, general manager Danny Ainge could pull off this trade to help his former teammate and friend Larry Bird get the missing piece in their championship puzzle.
Ainge may have an axe to grind towards the Heat after seeing his team get dispatched by LeBron James and company in several playoff meetings. And apparently, the Celtics general manager has the power to spoil Miami's three-peat aspirations by giving away Rondo to the Pacers while he's busy putting the pieces together for his team's rebuilding effort.
Several basketball analysts believe the Pacers will be a more complete team with the addition of a pass-first point guard like Rondo. With the All-Star guard orchestrating Frank Vogel's offense, the Pacers could become a more potent team on the offensive end without compromising their identity as a strong defensive unit.
On the other hand, the Celtics could acquire a solid scorer in Granger and a playoff-tested combo guard in Hill. The possibility of getting a future first-round pick will make this deal intriguing for the Celtics, who plan to collect more assets in the form of young talent and draft picks.
Former Celtics blog and Grantland writer Zach Lowe already discussed the chances of the Rondo to Indiana trade even before the start of the season.
"The Celtics wouldn't mind their young guys getting to experience meaningful late-season games, but the guess here is that the front office would rather have at least one very nice first-round pick in a loaded draft," Lowe said in his article on Grantland.
"In other words, look for everyone to be on the table. Bass might be the most tradeable guy, since he's a solid player with just one year left on his contract after this season. But bigger names will come up. Jeff Green has fans around the league, and Rondo's contract expires after next season," he added.