The Los Angeles Lakers are pretty much set to start the 2014-15 NBA season with their current roster but with the latest news about Rajon Rondo's demand to get out of Beantown, there are some who believe Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and company could pull off a surprising deal for the All-Star playmaker either before or during the course of the season.
Rondo, who will become an unrestricted free-agent after next season, has reportedly asked Celtics management a trade as he becomes tired of the franchise's rebuilding plan.
The crafty playmaker was a big piece of the Celtics' championship resurgence several seasons ago, playing as a facilitator for veterans Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. However, Rondo's name has been potential trade target ever since general manager Danny Ainge broke the team's core group by sending Pierce and Garnett to Brooklyn last summer.
Labeled as a hot-head, the former Kentucky standout may not have the patience to wait for at least 3 to 5 seasons for the Celtics to get back to championship contention.
Lakers' Interest in Rondo
Being a perennial All-Star and one of the best all-around players in the game, Rondo is expected to draw tremendous interest around the league, especially from teams which are a piece a way to become a full-fledged championship contender.
The Sacramento Kings have been the most aggressive team in the haunt for Rondo, offering several young studs (Jason Thompson and Derrick Williams) and draft picks for the service of the playmaker. On the other hand, the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and even the Indiana Pacers have also expressed their interest in snagging the two-time assist champion.
As for the Lakers, there were reports days heading into the NBA Draft last June that Kupchack tried to entice the Celtics management by offering Steve Nash and no.7 overall pick for Rondo.
Everybody knows that trade did not materialize, but independent site Sports Crave indicated the Lakers could attempt one last time to get Rondo by presenting a package consists of Jeremy Lin, Julius Randle and a first-round pick.
"The Lakers have plenty of expiring contracts with Jeremy Lin and Steve Nash, a combination of draft picks and Julius Randle, that make a deal appealing to Boston," according to Sports Crave.
Crazy of a Deal
Although a combination of Lin, Randle and a first-round pick seems to be a solid haul in exchange for Rondo, it would be a shocker if the Celtics accept this offer.
Ainge had interest in acquiring the Harvard-educated Lin from the Rockets last season along with center Omer Asik, but the trade never happened. And it's unlikely the Celtics are still interested in Lin after they loaded up their backcourt by drafting James Young and Marcos Smart, acquiring Marcus Thornton via trade with the Brooklyn Nets and re-signing Avery Bradley.
As for Randle, the Celtics already have a bevy of young big men in their roster led by JJ Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Brandon Bass, so acquiring a young stud like him would be a surplus.
Meanwhile, the Lakers might not even think of trading Lin and Randle because they haven't seen what they can get from these players, who could become cornerstones for their future campaigns. The only possible option the Lakers could get Rondo is through free-agency next summer, where they can put plenty of cash on the table. As for now, consider this trade rumor nothing but a pipedream.
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