Report: Rockets interested in Rondo, Celtics would insist on Chandler Parsons being included
According to Marc Stein of ESPN (who is about as legit as it gets in the non-Woj division), the Rockets have interest in Celtics' PG Rajon Rondo. However, a deal is unlikely because the Celtics are insisting that Rockets' forward Chandler Parsons is included in the deal.
Sources familiar w/Rockets' thinking say HOU has absolute interest in trading for Rajon Rondo. But that alone doesn't mean we'll see a deal
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014
Close relationship between Danny Ainge and Daryl Morey means talks are always easy to fire up but Celts' demands for Rondo are very high
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014
Celtics got a first for Doc Rivers and multiple firsts for Pierce/KG, as covered today on Stein Line Live. For Rondo they'll want even more
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014
Celtics, I'm told, would insist on Chandler Parsons in a theoretical Rondo deal. And Rockets, by all accounts, NOT willing to surrender CP
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014
Parsons is having a fantastic third NBA season, averaging 17 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.1 SPG for Houston, while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three. The 25-year-old is a burgeoning All-Star level talent, which is why it's not surprising to see Houston drag their feet.
The Rockets have two first round picks this season, with one of them owed to the Thunder (top 20 protected). That means they could dangle their own pick (currently projected to be 26th) — but how much value does a pick that late really have? Some, sure. But enough to act as the centerpiece in a Rondo deal? No chance.
The Rockets could also offer some combination of Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik and/or Terrence Jones. Lin and Asik are both set to make $15 million next season, an unattractive number for their skill-sets. Jones on the other hand is having a really nice season (11.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 18.1 PER), and is only in the second year of his four year rookie deal (cap hits: 2013-14: 1.6 million, 2014-15: $1.6 million, 2015-16: $2.5 million team option).
If the Rockets were to offer up Jones, their 2014 pick, their 2016 pick and Asik (both as a salary match and as a potential chip for the Celtics, despite his bloated 2014-15 salary), would that be enough?
Considering both of those Houston picks would be projected to be pretty late, Danny Ainge would really need to like Jones and Asik to pull the trigger. But it does work under the trade machine, and if Houston really wants Rondo, they're going to need to part with either Parsons or Jones to make it happen.
The question is: is that enough of a haul for Danny Ainge?
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