The trade rumors on Ranjo Rondo to Mavericks have finally become a reality on Thursday. The Boston Celtics point guard is set to play for Dallas Mavericks after the trade deal was already made official today.
Celtics trade of Rondo yields "the budding center Brandan Wright, veteran point guard Jameer Nelson, swingman Jae Crowder, and future first- and second-round picks", Boston Globe reports.
The rumors about the point guard's trade have followed him for quite a long while, even since the reign of the Big Three. The Celtic's decision may not mean they were not satisfied with his performance. The basketball star registers an 8.3 PPG record this season alone, not to mention his immense skill and undeniable talent on court that cannot be discounted.
However, NBA is such an organization of "people come and go" system and players have been dealing with that for so many years. In fact, Danny Ainge, Celtics President for Basketball Operation, appreciated what Rondo has contributed to its team: "We would like to thank Rajon for everything that he has done for the Celtics organization and the success we have experienced during his tenure with us," he was quoted as saying in the Boston Globe report.
Rondo played for Celtics for nine years, including the team's run during the 2008 Championships. The trade may gain the team a handful of draft picks, and drought on positive results can be expected. Whatever Celtic's reason for his trade, surely there is a better place for both parties.
Although, his recent stats hint on what could have possibly triggered Celtics to trade him for younger players: "His free throwing shooting percentage is a career-low .333 and his scoring average dipped to 8.3 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season of 2006-07, when he averaged 6.4.", the Boston Globe finds.
Mavericks will welcome Rondo with open arms. According to ESPN, there is a likely possibility that "Rondo would join Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons in a high-octane starting five."
With this high-caliber line up, the quest for another championship is rather within arm's length at this time. As a matter of fact, CG Technology is positive that Dallas will bring home this season's NBA title, limiting the odds from 13-1 to 8-1.
At the hindsight of the Rondo trade, it is hard to fathom the cause of Celtic's deal with Mavericks. Apart from his 8.3 PPG, he also registers 10.8 assists per game. This makes one of the most sought after point guards in the NBA today. As a matter of fact, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, LA Lakers, and Houston Rockers expressed interests in the basketball star.
We'll see what happens to Boston Celtics as Mavericks will try to get the most of its new elite point guard in Rondo.
