Boston Celtics Shipping Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen
After a disappointing run in the 2009 NBA playoffs, you know that heads would roll as far as the deposed NBA Champion Boston Celtics are concerned. And surprisingly, two names which have been responsible for keeping up the hopes of the Celtics during the playoffs may yet find themselves on the trading block. The two players are of course Rajon Rondo and veteran Ray Allen.
At the moment, Boston is talking to the Detroit Pistons. Apparently they are pursuing a trade that will send Boston’s Allen and Rondo to Detroit for Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey. Apparently Detroit rejected the offer so it is back to looking for another team to deal the two key Celtic players.
Ray Allen is 34 and has a few years left in him. The problem is Boston cannot guarantee a long-term contract and that may very well push Allen to shop around for another team. But given his shooting, he can be an asset to teams looking for a veteran go-to-guy who has proven himself time and again.
The puzzle here is Rajon Rondo. The budding young star has proven himself throughout the last season. At 24, this kid has a lot of years left in him. But obviously, Boston is looking for something more at the point. But between Rondo and Allen, it seems the latter would most likely be the priority to be shipped out. Rondo is just there to make the pot sweeter although expect Boston GM Danny Ainge to make some surprise moves in the off-season.
Allen, who will soon turn 34, has an expiring contract of nearly $20 million, for next season. Rondo, 24, a rapidly developing point guard, has been publically termed off-limits by Ainge in trade discussion this summer. Nevertheless, his name found a way into this conversation. Rondo averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, and had three triple-doubles in the Celtics’ playoff run this season.
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