The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics had preliminary discussions about a trade involving Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
Dwight Howard trade rumors: Lakers, Celtics engaged in ‘preliminary’ talks involving Rajon Rondo
Despite reports to the contrary, the Lakers reportedly had discussions about trading Dwight Howard.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The report by Berger comes on the same day reports surfaced that Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had reportedly assured Howard that he would not be traded. Berger notes that the talks haven’t progressed further than initial stages.
“[The Lakers] told me they weren’t going to trade me,” Howard told the Los Angeles Times. “That’s what Mitch said.”
Howard ($19.5 million) makes significantly more than Rondo ($11 million), so there would have to be other players involved for a trade with those two as the principals to work. Rondo is out for the season after tearing his ACL.
Howard, acquired by the Lakers from the Orlando Magic in the offseason, is in the final year of his contract. He hasn't been a fit with the Lakers, who are just 25-29 this season despite being expected to contend for a championship. Howard has also been slowed by a shoulder injury. His fit with teammate Kobe Bryant, who has publicly hinted that Howard should try to play through the injury, has also been questioned in many media reports this season.
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