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.

The Boston Celtics, after years of flirting with potential Rajon Rondo deals, are in substantive discussions on a trade that would send Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Celtics and Mavericks have been discussing a swap that would furnish Boston with multiple draft picks — including at least one future first-rounder — as well as blossoming Mavericks center Brandan Wright and other players needed to make the salary-cap math work.

Sources say the Celtics also have been talking to teams such as the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets about potential Rondo deals, but that the most advanced discussions have been with Dallas.

Celtics, Mavs Talk Rajon Rondo Swap-Marc Stein

After the Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic at TD Garden last night, reports surfaced on Twitter that Rondo was seen leaving the Garden with Danny Ainge, Mike Zarren & Steve Pagliuca. That in itself was a bit odd and got the hackles on the back of my neck standing up. Are they prepping him for the inevitable? Then, both Marc Stein and Sherrod Blakely tweeted that Boston and Dallas were in trade talks for Rondo that included Brandan Wright. Other veterans and draft picks are supposedly also included in the proposal on the Mavericks’ end.

Dallas of course would be taking a risk with Rondo, as he has expressed his intent on testing the free agent waters come this summer. But if Mark Cuban is looking to strike while the iron is hot, and get himself another ring, now is the time. In Dirk, Parsons, Monta Ellis & Tyson Chandler, the Mavs have a formidable squad that could hang with any team in the West. But toss a skilled passer & play maker like Rondo into the equation, and you’ve got a legit championship contender. Not to mention a guy who at 28 years old has started 92 career playoff games. After last night’s game, Rondo stood pat on his stance that he still loves it here in Boston and that he wants to stay a Celtic. Called the rumors “a way of life” and said “everything happens for a reason.”

I’m really torn on Rajon at this point. I really, really like what he brings to the table when he’s engaged and focused. We saw a perfect example of this last night. With the Magic looking to stretch their lead going into halftime, Rondo simply took over the game-he passed, scored & led the C’s on a run that put Boston up by one as the 1st half came to an end. That’s what he’s capable of doing on any given night. Then there’s the other part of me that is honestly just sick & tired of the rumors, speculation and at times, under appreciation involving Boston’s captain. If Danny is going to move him, which at this point seems as real as ever, then damn it, just do it so all parties can move on. As much as I’ll miss watching one of the NBA’s most electric & exciting players doing it in Celtics green every night, at least the black cloud that is the Rondo rumor mill will finally go away. I know these guys are not supposed to let this stuff bother them, but you have to imagine that Rondo & his family/camp have to be sick & tired of it to some extent also.

So as a Celtics fan, obviously my next question is who are we going to get in return..? Is Ainge really going to trade our best player for the expiring contract of a “blossoming” (please) 27 year old, oft injured center ? And who else could Cuban possibly toss in? As our friend Tom Westerholm mentioned, other than Parsons or Dirk, the Mavs simply have no one else we really need. Sure, Monta Ellis would be nice, but I just don’t see that happening.

Dallas is the organization that Boston has had the most serious talks with as of this posting.

ESPN sources say Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are also among the teams to engage Celtics in Rajon Rondo trade talks in recent days

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 18, 2014

Now we all know how Trader Dan operates. So of course this “leak” involving Dallas could simply be a ploy/decoy to help Ainge gain leverage and/or interest from other teams. But one thing is for sure-if Danny does deal Rondo now, it’s clear that he is trying to put Boston in the best position possible to acquire one of the top picks in this summer’s NBA draft. That’s the only thing that makes sense if he does not receive a player or players of equal value in any deal for Rondo. It also unfortunately means another (at least) full season of rebuilding mode aka sucking. As far as relationships go, Rajon is not notably close with any players currently on the Mavs. However he and Chandler Parsons are linked through Chinese sneaker company Anta. Both Rondo & Parsons endorse the Anta brand.

Page 2: Another wild night in the NBA

It seems like every time I turn on the NBA lately, there’s a game going into OT or someone drilling an incredible buzzer-beater. Well last night was more of the same, as there were two overtime games, including a 3OT classic that was easily the best game of this young season.

The red hot Memphis Grizzlies were in San Antonio to play the Spurs, and what an incredible game it was. The Grizzlies outlasted the Spurs 117-116 in triple overtime. It was Memphis’ third OT in it’s last four games. Marc Gasol’s ridiculous three-pointer at the end of regulation sent the game into it’s first OT session. Gasol then made a layup with 0:09 left in the first OT to tie the game at 102, and Manu Ginobli’s miss at the horn meant another overtime period. The Spurs found themselves down 111-109 with 0:02 left in OT2. Tim Duncan’s shot bounced on the rim three times before dropping at the buzzer which sent the game into triple OT! The Grizzlies were finally able to secure the victory after Zach Randolph nailed a jumper and Manu Ginobli bricked a shot badly as time expired in OT3. Check out all the highlights below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF1xj-TohyM

The rest of the links:

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Your Morning Dump..Where Boston & Dallas Are Talking Rondo Trade

Alan Draper

Page 2: Another wild night in the NBA

Alan Draper

Alan Draper