The Houston Rockets are reportedly more interested in trading for Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic than Boston Celtics playmaker Rajon Rondo, according to ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Rockets, who have been mentioned as one of the five Western Conference teams pursuing Rondo (along with Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans), are reportedly more inclined to acquire Dragic, who has blossomed into an All-Star caliber playmaker.
Sources indicated Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is eager to use the $8.4 million trade exception they acquired after trading Jeremy Lin to the Lakers in the offseason, and Dragic, who is earning $7.5 million this season, fits perfectly into that exception.
"Rockets have been after Rajon Rondo even longer than Mavs but it'll be interesting to track how hard they chase him now given our reports over the summer that free agent-to-be Goran Dragic has passed Rondo on Houston's wish list when it comes to PGs," Stein posted on his Twitter account.
Dragic is putting up solid numbers (16.2 points, 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game) after breaking out last season as the Most Improved Player of the Year. The Slovenian point guard has still one year left in his contract worth $7.5M, but he's expected to opt out from the final year of his contract and will command a max deal worth at least $15M per season next summer.
The 28-year old Rondo is also having a strong season so far after suffering an ACL injury. The Celtics playmaker is averaging 8.3 points, 10.8 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. With Rondo's current contract expiring at the end of the season, Celtics' top brass feared the four-time All-Star would leave without getting any compensation.
The Mavericks are reportedly the frontrunner for the service of Rondo, as they are willing to send a package consists of up-and-coming power forward Brendan Wright along with several players and multiple draft picks.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
