After eight years, four All-Star appearances, and a role as the only remaining member from Boston's 2007-08 championship team, Rajon Rondo is leaving Beantown.

My time in Boston has meant so much. I've grown up with this city both as a basketball player and person. The love I have for the most loyal

— Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 19, 2014

And supportive fans in the league is unmatched. My teammates have shown nothing but heart the last couple of seasons. — Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 19, 2014

At 29-years-old, Rondo is in the prime of his career, but a 41 percent field goal percentage and his impeding free agency left the Celtics with few choices but to field offers for the talented yet stubborn veteran. While rumored destinations of Los Angeles, New York, and Houston never materialized, social media users were quick to point out that a club had stealthily began following Rondo on Twitter.

The Mavs followed Rondo on Twitter. https://t.co/LUCznDMimf pic.twitter.com/uqaEMB8NpO

— Ben Watanabe (@BenjeeBallgame) December 18, 2014

The Phonex Suns promtly poked fun at the rumors.

Look who we just followed. Draw your own conclusions. pic.twitter.com/PGIk65lM4Y — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2014

As rumors swirled through the NBA Thursday afternoon, ESPN personality added fuel to the fire in tweeting from the green room of Stephen Colbert's final episode.

More From #ColbertFarewell @MCuban (blue) finalized Rondo deal in green room, sitting w/Waterston, Daniels, Burns, me pic.twitter.com/15UlYtm0Rv

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) December 19, 2014

In the end, Dallas got their man. In exchange, Boston received what adds up to three complementary players -Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, and Jameer Nelson- draft picks, and a trade exception that enables them to make another deal. "I think it was the Boston buddy network part two working in the favor of a former championship member of (Bill Simmons) favorite team." ESPN analyst Jalen Rose said as he and Simmons got news of the deal while filming 'The Grantland Basketball Hour.' "Before it was (Keving) McHale to (Danny) Ainge with (Kevin Garnett), now we see it replay itself again."

Twitter users weren't as skeptical. In fact, the average ticket price for the Celtics-Mavericks game at TD Garden on Jan. 2 have already increased by 22 percent on the secondary market. By 6 a.m. EST Friday, the average ticket was going for 130.18, nearly at $24 difference from just a few hours earlier.

Once a celtic, always a celtic. #RajonRondo #9 #FantasticFour pic.twitter.com/cG3PZnjsoT — dani (@ElCabronDeDani) December 19, 2014

Looks like I'm a new mavs fan since they got my favorite player. #rajonrondo ❤️❤️❤️

— blake.♛ (@blakelyrenee15) December 19, 2014

Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks on the Western Conference title... #RajonRondo — Anthony Wireman (@awireman) December 18, 2014

What a great trade with #rajonrondo. The #Mavs are one of the best teams in the league & to work for #MarkCuban is one of the best perks

— Ms Beltre (@rbeltre7276) December 19, 2014

#rajonrondo got traded to the #Mavericks today we see the last piece of 2008 championship team dealt away #ThankYouRondo #mrtripledouble — Bassem B. Noureddine (@bassemnd9) December 19, 2014

Rondo has averaged 11 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds over his career. He missed the second half of the 2012-13 season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, and missed time this season after having a screw removed from his surgically repaired right hand.

In Dallas, Rondo immediately makes the Mavericks a title contender. He joins Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis, and Chandler Parsons in what should be a high-scoring, high-energy club.