According to a source in an Eastern Conference front office, the Boston Celtics have begun quietly shopping Rajon Rondo to see what kind of value they can get for the All-Star PG.
Boston had originally planned to build around Rondo going forward, but a combination of factors forced their hand. At 13-26, Boston currently has a decent shot at a top-five pick in next year's draft - but getting Rondo back from injury could potentially vault them back into playoff contention in the East.
Without the pieces to mount a serious playoff run, the Celtics front office has privately acknowledged that tanking now will expedite their rebuilding efforts, and moving Rondo in the process could net picks would further speed up the process. A player who turns 28 next month won't be an asset if Boston's rebuilding process drags on, and apparently those in Boston who favored starting over with a clean slate won out over Rondo's advocates.
With exploratory talks in such early stages, it's still too early to tell where Rondo will end up. The New York Knicks have previously registered interest, but a team with so few picks left to trade might struggle to put together a reasonable offer.
Rondo averaged 13.7 points, 11.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals over 36 games last season. A four-time All-Star, Rondo won the 2008 NBA Championship with the Celtics, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2012.
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