Houston Rockets Potential Trade Partners

Feb 19, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics guard

(9) talks with forward

(8) and forward

(30) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Celtics 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics

With the Celtics, unlike some of the other teams in this article, it is not so much about how they are faring in the standings, but how they are playing and more importantly how Rajon Rondo is playing and whether it makes sense to trade him for more draft picks and young players to try to keep him and build around him.  The Celtics currently sit at 4-6 in 9th place in the eastern conference and not expected to challenge for a playoff spot.

Nov 1, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Rondo will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, but the Celtics appear to primarily be in rebuild mode around young players like Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk and James Young.  They have also been accumulating some expiring contracts and a number of draft picks over the next couple of years which would seem to indicate they are rebuilding.

The Celtics need Rondo to show that he’s all the way back from his pre-injury level of play from 2 years ago in order to get max value in return for him.  Thus far, given the current glut of quality point guards in the league and Rondo’s inability hit an outside shot, the asking price has been too high and Rondo is quite possibly not worth max dollars given the lack of a perimeter shot versus value of all the other quality point guards in the league.

The smart money is on the Celtics trading Rondo as the Celtics brand as a franchise does not carry the cachet’ that is once did making it somewhat more difficult to attract free agents.  The Rockets have to be concerned however, how well Rondo would really fit next to Harden, particularly since he really struggles with any semblance of an outside shot.  For me a point guard that can’t hit the 3 has to be elite, elite in terms of being a distributor and defender to be a max dollars type player.  We just haven’t seen enough from Rondo to believe he is still that.

The Celtics also have a couple other players that they could be looking to move that could interest the Rockets as well.  Brandon Bass, the big bodied power forward is in the last year of his current deal and could help the Rockets depth inside. Although not a 5 where the Rockets most need depth, Bass can fill in better than what the Rockets currently have backing up Dwight Howard.

Nov 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward

(8) drives the ball over Toronto Raptors guard

(7) in the second half at TD Garden. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics 110-107. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Forward Jeff Green is also a guy who could step into a stretch 4 role with the Rockets, particularly if Terrence Jones were to be part of the trade.  Admittedly the asking price to include Green could prove to be too much.  He is making $9.2 million this year and has a player option for another $9.2 next year but could opt out to become a free agent this off-season.

The option year could potentially scare the Rockets off of Green and the Rockets may prefer to look to someone else.  But the dollars are not way out of line with his value.  If the Rockets decided to pull the trigger for Rondo and a larger package deal brought Green as well, it could vault the Rockets into a swing for the fences, win now mode.

The Celtics could also be looking for a larger deal to prevent losing any or all three of these guys for nothing in return at the end of the season.  We absolutely expect the Celtics to make a move if not a couple of moves before the trade deadline and there is some history there between Rockets GM Daryl Morey and the Celtics GM Danny Ainge.

The question is with the emergence of Isaiah Canaan will the Rockets still be interested in Rondo?  Or might they be more interested in Green & Bass?

Either way, a trade with the Celtics could add some significant players without necessarily committing long term to them.  If the Rockets take a shot with these guys and get into the Finals or win a championship, there could be mutual interest in giving it another run.  If not, the Rockets would still have the roster flexibility that they enjoy today and can move in a different direction, but it will cost them a fairly significant number of assets to give it a go.