The NBA trade deadline always brings out some crazy scenarios but this one is definitely raising eyebrows. A highly unlikely rumor began saying the Lakers and Celtics were involved in talks trading Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo. So what does the Lakers GM have to say about this? Read more after the jump.
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported:
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…
Other significant pieces would have to be involved, since Rondo’s $11 million salary is substantially less than Howard’s $19.5 million.
Berger is a good reporter and as unlikely as the trade seemed I would be inclined to believe he got it from a reliable source. That source however wasn’t on the Lakers end as general manager Mitch Kupchak put those rumors to rest.
He spoke with Chris Broussard of ESPN.
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.
Dwight Howard also said last night that there was no chance he would be traded before the deadline and I believe that to be true. Despite the fallouts amongst the team, the Lakers have been adamant about doing everything in their power to retain Howard and have him sign an extension with the team. I’m guessing the rumor came on the Celtics end who are clearly trying to make some moves before the deadline.
