Reports continue to suggest Celtics are willing to discuss Rondo.
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in discussing a trade deal involving Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.
With speculation continuing to link the New York Knicks with a move for current Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, the Canadian outfit could be looking for a replacement sooner than expected.
Nevertheless, it is widely reported that they will choose to keep Lowry until the end of the season as they eye a post-season run following a strong regular season thus far.
However, should they choose to do that then they will left with a difficult decision to make over the 27-year-old’s long-term future with his current contract set to expire this summer, and there are suggestions they are reluctant to offer him a big-money deal.
While the Knicks continue to fall short of what Toronto are asking for in return, namely Tim Hardaway Jr. or a future first-round draft pick, according to Ian Begley of ESPN, reports have surfaced that they could be exploring a deal for Rondo.
“It’s no secret Boston has dangled four-time all-star Rondo league-wide and while the asking price is steep, he has piqued the interest of Toronto’s front office, according to multiple sources,” the Toronto Sun reports.
“Toronto is eager to up its “star” quotient and is also enamoured with Rondo’s resume, particularly his four all-defensive team selections (two all-NBA first team). He has many backers in the organization.”
A Raptors-Rondo partnership seems improbable ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday, as many experts don’t expect a great deal of ‘significant’ business to be done until the summer.
Toronto are expected to continue on their current path with Lowry until the end of the season, and as they sit in third place in the Eastern Conference (29-24), they are likely to remain inactive on the market until the summer where the management will face decisions which will undoubtedly shape their future.
Rondo has previously hinted at the possibility of remaining with the Celtics for many more years, but with free agency ahead in 2015, he may also choose to explore his options and consider a move elsewhere.
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