Rajon Rondo might be on the verge of spoiling the Boston Celtics’ plans.
The former Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings point guard reportedly is drawing interest from the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, according to Basketball Insiders reporter Steve Kyler, and those feelings are mutual.
If you want — add Rajon Rondo and Brandon Jennings to the report both are said to be mutually interested in Nets. https://t.co/xEUTarnbN2
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 27, 2016
Was told interest in both Rondo and Jennings is mutual. We'll see what that translates to in offers and others. https://t.co/Gzbjyw9aam
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 27, 2016
The Celtics, of course, have the right to swap first-round draft picks with the Nets in 2017 and also own Brooklyn’s 2018 pick, thanks to the 2013 Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett trade. The Nets, a lottery team last season, traded forward Thaddeus Young, their second-best player, prior to last week’s NBA draft and figured to take a step back from their 21-win total last year. But adding a point guard like Rondo — a four-time All-Star who led the league in assists last season — could make star center Brook Lopez more dangerous for opposing teams and Brooklyn a more attractive free-agent destination than currently constituted.
But Rondo isn’t the only option the Nets, who sit well under the rising salary cap, are exploring.
Names I have heard connected to the Nets were Jeremy Lin, Jamal Crawford and Horford. https://t.co/6GupVYHoyb
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 27, 2016
The Nets desperately need a point guard — and talent, in general — after waiving guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson last season. Rondo certainly could be their guy, and he could slap the Celtics in the face in the process.
Thumbnail photo via John Hefti/USA TODAY Sports Images