HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ainge has assured Rondo that he won't be traded, according to his agent Bill Duffy. However, Ainge maintains the Celtics aren't in the market for a major deal. USA Today Sports

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge 

Ken Berger: I'm told the "right deal" for Rondo would be: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or a massive haul of assets like Denver got for Melo. Not happening. Twitter @KBergCBS

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Sam Amick: Agent for Rajon Rondo, Bill Duffy, tells USAT that Boston GM Danny Ainge assured him today the Celtics PG won't be traded. Story to come. Twitter @sam_amick

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge, Bill Duffy 

Chris Broussard: Rival GMs insist Rondo's available. Could they pry Josh away from ATL w/out giving up Pierce or KG? Jeff Green would be good fit in ATL Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo 

Chris Broussard: Sources say Boston willing to trade injured PG Rajon Rondo in right deal. Wizards looking to move Jordan Crawford. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Jordan Crawford 

There is generally a frenzy among teams at this time of the year, but Ainge believes things are a bit more active now, particularly on the Celtics' part. "This year has been much more, just because we’ve had injuries," he said. "We wouldn’t be talking as much if we didn’t have as many injuries. "We’re looking to give it a run. When trade rumors come out that leads to a lot of (discussion) too. (Rajon) Rondo’s name comes out and Paul (Pierce)’s name comes out. KG (Kevin Garnett)’s name comes out. You have to field a lot of waste-of-time calls from media and other teams. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak denied a CBSSports.com report that the Lakers and Celtics were in preliminary talks to trade Dwight Howard for Rajon Rondo. "I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks," Kupchak told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. "I made the statement a week or two ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

When asked if a possible Howard-for-Rondo trade was discussed when he spoke to the Celtics weeks ago, Kupchak again said no. He said at no point this season has a Howard-for-Rondo trade been discussed. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: I just spoke w/Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak about supposed D12-for-Rondo trade talks w/Celtics. He denied it strongly.... Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: (Con't) Kupchak said "I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks. I made the statement a week or 2 ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed." Kupchak said at no pt this season has a D12-for-Rondo trade been discussed. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

David Aldrdige: Source who would definitely know re: reported Rondo/Howard talks: "nothing. Zero. Nada. Niente. Clear?" So, there's that. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: (Con't) Kupchak added that he hasn't talked with anyone else in Celtics organization. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

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. The imagination runs rampant with the tantalizing possibilities. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Other significant pieces would have to be involved, since Rondo's $11 million salary is substantially less than Howard's $19.5 million. If the Lakers dealt Howard for an All-Star point guard who is out for the rest of the season following ACL surgery, they'd effectively be throwing in the towel on this miserable, underachieving season and looking to next year. The Celtics would be going all-in for a quick rebuild centered around Howard, with the hopes they could find a point guard in the draft or in free agency to capably run their offense – which they've managed to do in Rondo's absence anyway. Celtics president Danny Ainge has flirted with several trade possibilities for Rondo over the years, and the point guard's hyper-competitive drive and strong personality have proved difficult for coach Doc Rivers to manage. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

There are at least two significant impediments to a Howard-Rondo deal. First, as Howard said Friday, the Lakers continue to insist they won't trade him, which sources say is the impression the Celtics have gotten, too. Second, Celtics president Danny Ainge would not trade Rondo without an assurance that Howard would re-sign with Boston as a free agent this summer, a league source said. Howard has shown no inclination to commit to anyone, including the Lakers, until the season is over. Since the league source familiar with the discussions characterized them as preliminary, it's possible that the talks could be tabled until after the season. In that case, Howard would have to agree to a sign-and-trade to the Celtics that would only yield him a four-year deal as opposed to the five years the Lakers could offer him (or the Celtics, if he were traded there by Feb. 21 and subsequently re-signed). The Celtics could only acquire Howard in a sign-and-trade if they eschewed their full mid-level and remained below the so-called luxury-tax apron, a threshold $4 million above the tax line that was added in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Also, league sources say several other teams intrigue Howard as possible destinations. The Nets, his first choice last season, remain a viable option -- but only via a trade before Feb. 21 since the Nets are well above the tax apron. The third team on Howard's original list, the Mavericks, have plenty of cap room and tradable contracts. The Rockets, hosts for this All-Star weekend, have become more attractive, sources say. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

I know that current Griz management is fond of Lee mainly because they represented him (Stu Lash). But it’s hard to tell what Boston’s thinking is. If the Celtics traded Lee to the Griz into a trade exception it would be a salary dump. Right now, it looks like Boston is in a holding pattern given how well they are doing without Rondo. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo 

Baxter Holmes: Ainge tells the Globe that Rondo underwent successful ACL surgery yesterday in Florida as performed by Dr. James Andrews. Twitter @BaxterHolmes

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Injuries 

The agent for Rajon Rondo tells CSNNE.com that the torn ACL injury suffered by Rondo is a partial tear, opening the door for him to possibly return to the floor sooner than anticipated. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Injuries 

Following the injury, Rondo's timetable to return to action was expected to be sometime before the start of next season. "It's still too early to tell for sure," his agent Bill Duffy told CSNNE.com. "But we are very optimistic about his return now that we know his injury is only a partial tear and not a full tear." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Injuries