Indiana Pacers Showing Trade Interest in Rajon Rondo
By Evan Massey
The Indiana Pacers are showing interest in a possible trade for star point guard Rajon Rondo.
Larry Bird talked about acquiring a legitimate franchise point guard this past offseason, and he acted upon it and looked to acquire Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns. It appears that Bird is still looking to upgrade the point guard situation, and now the Pacers are considering making a push to acquire star point guard Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics.
There is no question that Rondo would be a good fit with the Pacers, but they would likely only make a trade for him if he signs a long-term extension in Indiana.
Paul George is currently rehabbing from a broken leg that he suffered this past summer playing for Team USA, and his return next season would be a very attractive scenario for Rondo. Having a legitimate playmaking point guard on the roster would take the Pacers to the next level, and his defensive tenacity would fit well in Frank Vogel’s system as well.
So what would the Pacers have to give up in return for Rondo?
More from Ink on Indy
- Still Searching for Their Groove, Pacers Take on Struggling Magic Thursday Night
- Pacers Travel to the Nation’s Capital to Begin Four Game Road Trip
- Update on Pacers’ Oladipo’s Serious Leg Injury
- Has Romeo Langford Been a Disappointment for the Hoosiers?
- The Indianapolis Colts Have a Brutal Road Schedule in 2019
It’s difficult to say, but first-round picks are obviously something that are going to interest Boston. Perhaps George Hill would be involved in the trade to make salaries match, or even a Roy Hibbert move would be a possibility. Solomon Hill would be another name that could interest Celtics general manager Danny Ainge as well.
Indiana has the pieces to get a trade done if they choose to do so, but the question becomes just how much they’re willing to give up. The Pacers aren’t too far away from getting back into playoff contention, and adding Rondo on a long-term contract would be the final piece to their puzzle. They would have their two stars in George and Rondo, and a great supporting cast around both of them.
Needless to say, there are plenty of other teams that are interested in Rondo and a bidding war is likely to happen. Boston isn’t going to ship him out until they are sure that they are getting the best possible deal. The Pacers just need to figure out how much they’re willing to pay and whether or not a duo of George and Rondo can lead them to a championship.
Expect to hear plenty more rumors coming out about the Pacers in the coming weeks, but Rondo appears to be in play for them.