Houston Rockets: Chasing After Rajon Rondo

Feb 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks point guard Jose Calderon (right) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s become an annual tradition for the Houston Rockets to be involved in making a trade at the deadline as long as Daryl Morey is in charge, and this year is no different as the latest rumors centers on the Rockets increasingly strong push to acquire Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.

Sources familiar w/Rockets’ thinking say HOU has absolute interest in trading for Rajon Rondo. But that alone doesn’t mean we’ll see a deal

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014

Plenty of names have been mentioned as possible pieces to give back to the Celtics, including Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin, Donatas Motiejunas, Terrence Jones, and Chandler Parsons. The Rockets, however, are not willing to part ways with Parsons, according to Marc Stein, even though Boston has been actively pushing for him to be included in a possible deal.

Celtics, I’m told, would insist on Chandler Parsons in a theoretical Rondo deal. And Rockets, by all accounts, NOT willing to surrender CP

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2014

It was also reported earlier in the week that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has demanded 2 first-round picks in any deal that would involve Rondo, and the Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks have also expressed interest as the trade deadline is set to expire in less than 24 hours.