Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, who had season-ending knee surgery a week ago, is available for a trade by Thursday’s deadline, league sources tell ESPN’s Chris Broussard.
However, a trade is unlikely because of Rondo’s injury, a torn left ACL, sources tell Broussard.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said Tuesday that he’s not sure any deals would get the Celtics what they need and give another team what it wants. Ainge, in fact, was not optimistic he would get any moves done before the 3 p.m. ET Thursday deadline.
“It looks unlikely that anything will be done, other than possibly some players we will add to our roster,” Ainge said. “Not sure yet of what that will be.
“There’s been a lot of conversation around the league, and we’ve been very busy. Trades are very challenging to make, and then on top of that we like our guys. I like watching this team play, I like the personality of our team. We just need to find a way to give them the best chance to win with the resources we have.”
There were reports before the All-Star break that the Lakers and Celtics had preliminary talks to trade Rondo to the Lakers for center Dwight Howard, but Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak denied that report to Broussard, saying he hadn’t talked to Ainge and reiterating that the Lakers do not plan on trading Howard.
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