Rondo wants out? LA will take him

It seems that almost every star player in the NBA has been linked to rumors over the last few seasons with many of them in connection with the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently rumors have surfaced that Rajon Rondo wants out of Boston and his frustration is understandable. Historically the Celtics have been one of the best franchises in the NBA but over the last few years they have plummeted down to the bottom of the standings. Ray Allen is gone, Kevin Garnett is gone, and even Paul Pierce is gone.

So, where does that leave Rondo? Why would Rondo want to stay in a rebuilding situation during the prime of his career while he watches other players team up and try to win championships? He knows what championships are about.

Rondo has been a major name mentioned around the league as a trading chip that the Lakers would like to acquire and for good reason. Coming off an ACL injury the 28-year old point guard averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds a game last season. The time is now for the Lakers to try and snatch up the four-time all star and bring him and his game to Los Angeles. More importantly Kobe Bryant has said that he has always admired Rondo and his will for the game so he would gladly welcome Rondo into the purple and gold especially changing from the rival green.

Historically, the Lakers and Celtics would never make a deal sending a star player to one another but they should make an exception for this. Rondo only has one year left on his contract so he is probably leaving anyway and the Celtics could get something back for him at least. On the Laker side of things, they get a star point guard to team with Kobe plus his one-year contract doesn’t affect their cap flexibility plans for future free agencies. Here is the trade I am suggesting for this trade to happen:

Celtics acquire: Steve Nash, Jordan Hill and the first round pick from the Rockets in the Jeremy Lin deal

Lakers acquire: Rajon Rondo, Brandon Bass

Ed. note – You can go to ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine to see if a trade works under the collective bargaining agreement. Hill is not eligible to be traded right now due to just being signed (I think), but you could substitute Jeremy Lin for Hill. Also, not sure how to include draft picks on the trade machine The Lakers wouldn’t need Lin anyway if they got Rondo, amiright?

The Celtics acquire a $9.7 million expiring contract in Steve Nash which will come off the books at the end of the season, get an upgrade from Bass in Jordan Hill, and another first round pick which the Celtics seem to be loading up on.

The Lakers get an athletic point guard which they have longed for and a big man who is a bit undersized, but can post up and shoot from mid range a little.

Both the Lakers and Celtics should think about doing a deal of some sort because in the long run, trading Rondo for the Celtics and the Lakers acquiring him will help both franchises get back to where they belong, competing for an NBA title against each other.