Rondo continues to be linked with exit from Boston ahead of deadline.
The Houston Rockets are reportedly pushing to acquire Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday.
According to ESPN sources, talks between the two teams have not progressed to a serious stage because the pair can’t agree on the framework of a trade.
It is understood that one of the stumbling blocks preventing the deal from being done is Boston’s desire to see swingman Chandler Parsons included in the deal, a piece that Houston are not willing to part with.
Despite consistently denying that Rondo would be available for trade ahead of the deadline at 8 p.m. GMT on Thursday, the 27-year-old continues to dominate the gossip columns with various teams linked with an interest.
It had been reported that the Celtics had envisaged him being a significant part of their future and were intent on rebuilding around him, but the New York Knicks were the latest organisation to be paired with a possible move in the forthcoming hours.
However, with the possibility that the former All-Star guard could leave as he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July 2015, the Celtics remain open to doing business if they receive a significant offer for him.
In Houston’s favour is the fact that they possess multiple draft picks and a number of young players aside from Parsons that could tempt the Celtics into agreeing on a deal.
Omer Asik has previously been linked with a switch to Boston, while the likes of Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas are all possible pieces to add to any deal between the two teams.
It is still expected that Rondo will remain in Boston beyond the trade deadline, but given the frequency and depth of the rumors linking him with an exit, it is possible that the Celtics could be interested in continuing discussions if they perceive any deal being equally as beneficial for them moving forward.
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