NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo, Detroit Pistons’ Josh Smith Want to Play Together

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo and Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith developed a strong bond during their stay at Oak Hill Academy nine years ago, and both players are reportedly itching to play together again in the NBA.

Smith told Celtics Blog that he and Rondo are still talking to each other regularly despite competing against each other for their entire NBA careers, adding that their respective families have also developed a strong relationship over the past several years.

"We call each other every once in a while to check up and see how one another is doing," Smith said. "He's my best friend, especially in the NBA. We still talk all the time, and our families take vacations together. He's a very good friend."

When asked about the possibility of teaming up again in the NBA, Smith revealed that he and Rondo have been fantasizing about it.

"The conversation comes up," Smith revealed. "We always tell each other what a surreal moment that would be, for us to connect again."

Both players can decide to play together again when Rondo hits free agency in 2015 or Smith in 2017. While the chances of teaming up again are slim at this point, Smith remains optimistic that they will end up wearing the same jersey again in the near future.

"With the different free agencies that we have it could be far-fetched, but it could be possible. I tend to be an optimist," Smith said.

But the Rondo-Smith team-up could happen sooner than expected—via a trade this summer.

The Pistons were reportedly shopping Smith before last month's trade deadline, with rumors suggesting that the high-flying forward was Boston-bound in exchange for Jeff Green and Gerald Wallace; no deal was reached.

The Pistons also allegedly made a strong push to acquire Rondo before the trade deadline, but the Celtics were unwilling to trade the All-Star point guard.

If Rondo really wants to team-up with his high school buddy, he could actually force a trade to Detroit.

The Celtics might be forced to deal Rondo to Detroit instead of running the risk of losing him for nothing when the 28-year-old superstar hits free agency in the summer of 2015.