With the 2013 NBA Trade Deadline less than a week away, expect to see the NBA rumors heat up leading right up until February 21. The latest trade rumor has the Boston Celtics trading Rajon Rondo to the Los Angeles Lakers for Dwight Howard.
Pardon me while I step away from the keyboard for a second to hysterically laugh this one off as an absolutely ridiculous rumor with no possibility of becoming reality. While the Celtics and Lakers could both consider moving both Rondo and Howard, trading them for each other is never going to happen.
I have written for years that dealing Rondo could be in the Celtics’ best interests, although everyone has called me insane for possessing that thought process. I won’t feel the need to mention how well the team has done since he went down with a season ending ACL injury, or how many times he has demonstrated poor judgment on the court, leading to bad fouls or ejections, or how many of his teammates have questioned his decision making skills in the past.
Like I stated, I feel no need to bring any of that to light.
I also said that a team would be foolish to trade for Howard. Have the Lakers not proven exactly that this season? He wore out his welcome with the Orlando Magic, both as a player with his teammates and coaches, as well as with a strong fan base. He has caused many to question his attitude and work ethic and heart, and has even managed to alienate Stave Nash as a teammate, aside from basically pissing off Kobe Bryant on a nightly basis. With still a decent chance that the Lakers sign Howard to an extension following an extremely disappointing season in L.A., deep down, one has to figure that the Lakers know that they made a mistake in dealing for the immature center.
That being said, do not expect them to deal him to Boston for Rondo, regardless of how happy it would make Bryant.
The Celtics should entertain trading Rondo. Especially if the deal Kevin Garnett and/or Paul Pierce. When things are not going well, it really goes poorly for Rondo. If he is not put in a position to win, he is an entirely different player. Boston could certainly move him for the right price.
The Lakers should listen to offers for Howard. If the Brooklyn Nets or Atlanta Hawks make a decent offer, pull the trigger in a heart beat. Howard is not a good fit with the Lakers with Bryant, and things would not get that much better even when Bryant retires in another year or two. They should attempt to deal him before the trade deadline, rather than going the sign-and-trade route after the season.
But while the Celtics should trade Rondo, and the Lakers should trade Howard, do not hold your collective breaths waiting to see them dealt for each other.
That one is not happening.
One thought on “NBA Rumors: Forget Seeing Boston Celtics Trade Rajon Rondo To Los Angeles Lakers For Dwight Howard”