The Houston Rockets have been quiet on trade front the past few weeks, but sources said that the team could strike big deals before the 2014 NBA trade deadline on February 20.
Previous reports indicated that the Rockets will likely keep tradable assets Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik for the remainder of the 2013-14 NBA season, but their stance could change depending on the offers that will be on the table as the deadline approaches.
Sources said that the Rockets are high on Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who just returned from a long layoff due to an ACL injury.
After playing in his first two games this season, Rondo's name has been floating around in several trade rumors the past few weeks, with reports indicating that the Celtics are indeed mulling dealing the All-Star point guard -- but for the right price.
The Celtics and the Rockets engaged in deep talks about a potential trade for Omer Asik last month. The Rockets almost traded the disgruntled center for Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee.
And as the deadline approaches, rumors are suggesting that the Rockets could offer Asik again to the Celtics along with Jeremy Lin for Rondo. Both Lin and Asik could fit into the rebuilding Celtics, but both teams are expected to haggle for additional assets like draft picks before striking a blockbuster deal.
SEE: Minnesota Timberwolves Could Form Rajon Rondo - Kevin Love Tandem In Deal With Boston Celtics
"Imagine a lineup of Rondo, James Harden and Dwight Howard in Houston. You could basically afford to trade the Celtics just about anyone else. What would the Celtics want?" Sam Amico of Fox Sports reported. "Any deal involving Rondo will likely have to include draft picks. Rockets GM Daryl Morey seems to truly covet those.
Considering the strong interests of the Rockets in Rondo, they will likely offer a package involving Lin and Asik along with future draft pick or picks, knowing that the trio of Rondo, Harden, and Howard will be enough to put them in title contention in years to come.
The Celtics, on the other hand, will acquire a center who appears ready to take a starting role again like last season in Asik, while Lin could have another breakout year -- similar to his well-known "Linsanity" moments during his stint with the New York Knicks two seasons ago.
