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29 Rajon Rondo trade rumors that didn't come true

And one that actually did.

By Mike Prada
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo was finally traded, going to the Dallas Mavericks for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and a first-round pick. This ends what had been years of rumors and educated guesses about Rondo's future in Boston, rumors that date back to his first year with the team.

"They've been a way of life since I've been here," Rondo said less than 24 hours before he was finally dealt. "It's just part of it."

No kidding. Here's a summary of Rondo's way of life for the past eight years.

2007

1. Seattle Supersonics:

More specifically, in the days leading up to the 2007 NBA Draft. This was after the Celtics had fallen hard in the lottery. After Danny Ainge had decided it was time to cash in. It was Draft Day. Boston was in serious negotiations with Seattle on a trade for Ray Allen — and the Sonics wanted 21-year-old Rajon Rondo.

Ainge said no (after Seattle refused to throw in Robert Swift). Eventually, the Sonics settled on Delonte West and the wheels were in motion. -CSN New England

2. Minnesota Timberwolves:

Next, it was late July, and Boston was in serious negotiations with Minnesota on a trade for Kevin Garnett — and the Wolves wanted 21-year-old Rajon Rondo.

Again, Ainge said no. Eventually, the Wolves settled* on Sebastian Telfair and just like THAT the Celtics were rebuilt. Rondo’s life and career would never be the same. -CSN New England

2009

3. Phoenix Suns:

As for STAT, Gambo is reporting the Celtics would be willing to part with Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen for Amare, Leandro Barbosa and the Suns' 14th-pick in the draft. -KTAR Radio 620 in Phoenix

4. Before his first contract extension:

Rajon Rondo is definitely on the market. I'm told he's very hard for Doc Rivers to coach, and that although Rondo gets along OK with his teammates, he's far from a great teammate. The fear in Boston is that if Rondo is this difficult to handle on a rookie-scale salary, he'll be a monster once he earns big money. -Chris Broussard, ESPN

5. Memphis Grizzlies:

The Celtics scoffed with vigor Tuesday night when we presented them with a Rajon Rondo/Brian Scalabrine-for-Rudy Gay/Mike Conley scenario -Marc Stein, ESPN

While unlikely, one Eastern Conference executive said the latest trade rumor included Rondo and forward Brian Scalabrine going to Memphis for guard Mike Conley and swingman Rudy Gay. -Marc Spears, Boston Globe

6. Detroit Pistons:

The Celtics offered Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to the Detroit Pistons for a package that included Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. -Adrian Wojnarowski

2011:

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

8. New Orleans Hornets:

The Celtics have relentlessly pursued Paul and have presented the Hornets with as many as eight different scenarios that would bring them some combination of Rondo, Jeff Green, two future No. 1 picks and additional talent from third teams, sources said. -Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

There is also a small handful of teams that has informed the Hornets they are prepared to trade for Paul with no assurance that they can keep him beyond this season. That list, sources say, includes the Rockets, Boston Celtics and defending champion Dallas Mavericks. -Broussard and Stein, ESPN

9. Indiana Pacers:

The Hornets' interest in Rondo is lukewarm at best, but one scenario in circulation would involve the Indiana Pacers and route former Hornets point guard Darren Collison back to New Orleans and land Rondo with the Pacers and Paul with the Celtics. Yet several other players would have to be involved to make such a deal work -- with more established talent going to New Orleans -- and there was no indication Wednesday that such a deal was close to completion. -Marc Stein, ESPN

As Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge aggressively pursues possible deals for Rajon Rondo, the Indiana Pacers have emerged as an intriguing suitor for the point guard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. For the past few days, Pacers officials - and third-party surrogates - have been making calls and gathering information and insight into Rondo's reputation as a teammate and leader, sources said. The Pacers and Celtics have discussed the preliminary framework of a deal, but two sources said Indiana would need a third team to provide Boston with the talent it wants to do a deal. -Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

10. Some West coast team:

Donny Marshall: I don't think it's off the radar yet to say Rondo is going to be with this team for the entire season. I spoke with an agent earlier in the week who said this thing is still hot. To have people pay attention to Rondo's temperment, to see how he goes and plays, to see if he leaves it all out there....

They're still talking about this, about maybe moving Rondo somewhere out west... in a warm spot.

Gary Tanguay: Have we anticipated the location?

Donny Marshall: I think a lot of people would be surprised.

11. Golden State Warriors:

In December, the Celtics had discussions with Golden State about a Stephen Curry-for-Rondo deal, and one source says it was Golden State that decided against pulling the trigger. But Curry's recent ankle injuries, which have caused him several problems in his short career, have given the Celtics pause. The potential trade is still being discussed by Boston's brain trust, but the Celtics aren't sure they want to go forward with it. It also isn't clear whether the Warriors would be willing to do it. Other players would have to be thrown in to make it work financially.

2012:

12. Somewhere, anywhere, ASAP:

"They're desperate to (trade Rondo)," the source said of the Celtics. "He's the only real asset they have. The other guys, the Big Three, aren't assets at this point. The problem they now face is that he's an undesirable. This league is full of undesirables, and some are more talented. You can probably get (Minnesota Timberwolves forward) Michael Beasley for less than Rondo, but he's another guy people don't want. "All I know right now is that if Ainge is calling me right now, I have him over a barrel."

13. Los Angeles Lakers:

there is exactly one 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard in the league.

Rajon Rondo. ...

Additionally, sources have told HOOSPWORLD that the Boston Celtics do have interest in Gasol for their All-Star point guard.

If the Lakers indeed are interested in signing Rasheed Wallace - a logical step-down from flirting with Gilbert Arenas - it lends credence to the Rajon Rondo/Jermaine O'Neal-Pau Gasol swap I keep hearing. Lord knows they're desperate for a point guard and Rondo is exceedingly obtainable and Kobe Bryant loves his "any means possible" style. -New York Post

2013:

14. Dallas Mavericks:

"The Celtics haven't had any conversations with Dallas about Rondo," said one source. "That's ridiculous. There's no truth to it. What in the world does Dallas have to offer for Rondo?" The second source pointed to the thin state of the Dallas roster. "They're trying to rebuild around a 37-year-old Dirk Nowitzki," he said. "They have a lot of old expiring contracts, and that's about it." -Boston Herald

15. Detroit Pistons:

Based on that possibility, the Pistons were among the first teams to reach out to the Celtics and express interest in acquiring Rondo, the All-Star point guard who is coming off an ACL injury, league sources told CBSSports.com.

Just because the Pistons acquired Brandon Jennings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bucks doesn't mean they've lost interest in Rajon Rondo. In fact, they could eventually use Jennings as a trade chip and seek to acquire Rondo. There are going to be several interested parties in Rondo, and that number could increase when he shows he's fully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. -Boston Globe

16. Los Angeles Lakers:

However, CBSSports.com has learned that the Lakers have engaged in preliminary trade discussions with an unlikely trade partner regarding Howard: their fierce rival, the Boston Celtics. The centerpieces of the possible deal, which hasn't gained any traction, would be Howard and Rajon Rondo.

17. Sacramento Kings:

18. New York Knicks:

Of course, the Knicks primary target is Rondo, Boston's All Star point guard who is currently recovering from knee surgery. The Knicks have been trying to trade Shumpert, Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire in a complicated deal for Rondo but the rebuilding Celtics has yet to show much interest. Unless the Celtics are blown away with an offer it's hard to imagine Celtics GM Danny Ainge trading his best player, Rondo, to the rival Knicks.

19. New York Knicks, according to New York Knicks:

According to league sources, the Knicks' first prong is to try to attract the Celtics' Rajon Rondo. This idea has been tossed around in various forms for a while now, it's not shocking. But the way the Knicks are hoping to get Rondo is a little unusual. It's not in free agency in 2015 but later this season or next summer when he comes back from a torn ACL. The Knicks are hoping Rondo will be interested in making a maneuver similar to what Anthony did back in 2011 and eventually try to force a trade to the Knicks, sources said.

2014:

20. Whoever will trade a lot:

21. Sacramento Kings:

Source said Sacramento offered Isaiah Thomas, Ben McLemore and two picks for Rajon Rondo. Rondo wasn’t interested in re-signing with Sacramento.

22. New York Kni ... just kidding:

23. Toronto Raptors:

24. Houston Rockets:

It's inevitable that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will likewise check in with his old boss Danny Ainge in Boston -- as he did before the trade deadline in February -– just to make sure Rajon Rondo isn’t suddenly available.

25. Anywhere because they have to:

Jackie MacMullan said in a video posted Wednesday by ESPN's Around the Horn that Boston Celtics captain Rajon Rondo "wants out" and that a trade "will happen." (Update: The video was removed from YouTube on Sunday evening.)

26. Los Angeles Lakers:

While there are no active talks between the two franchises involving a trade for Rondo, sources said the teams did have a brief discussion a few months ago.

It's not clear which team initiated the call.

27. Sacramento Kings:

28. Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets:

29. Los Angeles Lakers:

30. The one that did ... Dallas Mavericks:

In This Stream

Rajon Rondo traded to Mavericks for Brandan Wright, first-round pick

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