This Looks Like The Year The Celtics Finally Trade Rajon Rondo

Swapping Rajon Rondo trade rumors is America's oldest and most treasured holiday tradition. But this year, the Celtics' last chance to get something for their star point guard, it seems like it's actually going to happen. Last night, all around the same time, seemingly every NBA beat guy began reporting that talks on a Rondo-to-Dallas move have reached the stage where the teams are talking specifics.

ESPN's Marc Stein goes the furthest with the details, reporting that the haul for Rondo, who's in the last year of his contract and likely to command a max deal, would include the Mavericks' 2015 first-rounder, and center Brandan Wright, who will also be a free agent this summer. That wouldn't be a huge haul—Dallas's pick figures to fall well outside the lottery, and Wright, playing the best ball of his career, is in for a significant raise—but it'd be much better than just letting Rondo walk.

There's also the possibility of the involvement of a third team, one with some sort of young, cheap asset that could help the Celtics as they pursue a ground-up rebuild. Additionally, Stein says the Kings, Knicks, Lakers, and Rockets have been sniffing around, asking about Rondo.

Rondo, who's taking his fewest shots per game since his rookie year, said last night he's used to this.

"[Trade rumors have been] a way of life since I've been here," said Rondo. "It's just part of it."

Rondo was asked if his preference remains to stay in Boston long term and he smiled before offering, "How many times do you want me to say it?"

When a reporter joked that he could say it one more time given the latest rumors, Rondo laughed.

Adrian Wojnarowski says the Celtics' trade talks have mostly been with teams in the West. If a deal goes down (and this time, it'd be shocking if one didn't), some Western team is going to land itself a game-changer for the playoffs, and seemingly be able to do so without breaking up its own core.