Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
After last season's playoffs, the Celtics offered Rajon Rondo and Green to Oklahoma City for Russell Westbrook and Perkins, sources told Broussard. The Celtics, looking for another scorer who can create his own offense, thought Westbrook might be available after his erratic postseason play. But Oklahoma was not interested in the deal.
ESPN Boston (courtesy Chris Broussard)
Wow… these Rondo trade rumors have exploded in 24 hours.
Since I subscribe to the "where there's smoke, there's fire" theory on trade rumors, I believe Danny Ainge is shopping his offensively challenged point guard. Rondo can do a lot of things, but his shooting woes are a problem for this offense.
If Danny can move Rondo for a scoring point guard, he can then move Ray Allen to fill another hole – in the middle. Just a theory.
The Perk/Green part of this trade is mind-boggling. Didn't Ainge say he wasn't willing to pay Perkins $9 million per season? And why on earth would OKC take back Green?
On Page 2, the Pacers are reportedly interested in Rondo.
As Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge aggressively pursues possible deals for Rajon Rondo, the Indiana Pacers have emerged as an intriguing suitor for the point guard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
For the past few days, Pacers officials – and third-party surrogates – have been making calls and gathering information and insight into Rondo’s reputation as a teammate and leader, sources said.
The Pacers and Celtics have discussed the preliminary framework of a deal, but two sources said Indiana would need a third team to provide Boston with the talent it wants to do a deal. The Celtics are likely trying to gather the necessary pieces to make a bid for Ainge’s ultimate target: New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, sources said.
It was unclear if the Pacers had begun to reach out to broaden discussions, but there was an expectation they would do so.
The Pacers have Darren Collison, AJ Price and TJ Ford as point guards. None are in the class of Rondo and Paul.
What other assets would New Orleans or Boston find attractive? Danny Granger isn't going anywhere. Neither is Roy Hibbert. Maybe Paul George?
The rest of the links:
Globe – Celtics to train in Waltham | Herald – Center tops on Ainge's agenda | Leo Papile out of the picture | CSNNE – Rondo out, Paul in? | ESPN – Nets preparing big offer for Howard |
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