Rajon Rondo is a two-time consecutive All-Star. He comes at the bargain price of $11 million per year, significantly less than market value for an All-NBA defender with the potential to lead the league in assists for the next six or seven years. He is presumably Boston’s future as well as its present, a curious amalgam of flaws and strengths unique within NBA history who will take the baton from the Big Three by next season, if he hasn’t officially done that already. But because of all that, he’s also Boston’s best trade bait.

Which is why the Celtics are not necessarily looking to trade Rondo, but they are reportedly open to the possibility if the right trade comes along. (ESPN)

While Boston is not shopping Rajon Rondo, it would be open to trading him in the right deal, sources say. The Celtics feel they need more scoring to take the load off Paul Pierce.

This makes sense. Rondo, for everything he contributes to Boston’s wins, has a set of flaws — mainly shooting, but also a sometimes-startling lack of consistency — that prohibit him  from being a truly elite point guard. In a trade market that should feature a dozen or so general managers actively trying to acquire Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, the Celtics would have the right ingredients to land one of those superduperstars… IF they package Rondo in the right deal, perhaps a sign-and-trade with Glen Davis or a package including one of Boston’s expiring contracts (note: I apologize profusely for referring to KG and Ray Allen as “expiring contracts”).

I have conflicting thoughts about trading Rondo (even in return for a superduperstar) for three reasons:

1) He improves from season to season like he spends the entire summer locked in a gym

and

2) I’m not sure whether I would rather have Chris Paul for $17 million or Rondo for $11 million. I might, but it’s not a no-brainer.

Being open to trading Rondo is the right move. I’m not saying they should trade him, or they should actively shop him, or that I’d be anything less than heartbroken if he were traded. But if Danny Ainge isn’t making or taking phone calls about every player on his roster, he’s not doing his job.

(h/t @MrTrpleDouble10)