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.
According to league sources, the Knicks’ first prong is to try to attract the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo. This idea has been tossed around in various forms for a while now, it’s not shocking. But the way the Knicks are hoping to get Rondo is a little unusual.
It’s not in free agency in 2015 but later this season or next summer when he comes back from a torn ACL. The Knicks are hoping Rondo will be interested in making a maneuver similar to what Anthony did back in 2011 and eventually try to force a trade to the Knicks, sources said.
The Celtics have consistently denied they want to trade Rondo. But once this trade deadline passes, and it isn’t clear if he will even play before February, Rondo will have only one guaranteed season left on his contract. Like with Anthony when he applied pressure to the Denver Nuggets by threatening to leave in free agency, the Knicks wonder if Rondo will be able to have a say in where he might be traded if the Celtics end up fearful he’ll leave in free agency.
This speculation involving the Knicks is bordering on absurd.
Can someone please explain to me what makes the Knicks a desirable location for Rajon Rondo?
Last I checked, they were an old, under-achieving mess of a team led by an average coach and a meddlesome owner with a history of horrible personnel decisions.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are a young, over-achieving bunch led by an up-and-coming coach, a basketball savvy GM and business savvy ownership group.
Let’s take a giant leap and assume Rondo doesn’t want to play in Boston or vice versa.
The Knicks only valuable trade assets are shooting guards (Iman Shumpert, Tim Hardaway Jr) and 2015 and 2017 1st round draft picks. If the Celtics are unable to sign Avery Bradley long term, then maybe they’re interested in Shumpert or Hardaway. Ainge will always covet 1st round draft picks, but with 9 over the next 5 years, there comes a time when he’ll have seek impact players. The only way a deal works with NY is with a third team.
Do you know what makes more sense than the Rondo to NY scenario? Melo coming to Boston.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Breaking Brad not in script | CSNNE – Years of transformation for Celtics | Globe – New teammates have some catching up to do with Rondo | NBA/NCAA should rethink one-and-done
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