NBA Trade Rumors 2014: Brooklyn Nets Could Deal Deron Williams, Boston Celtics Deny Rajon Rondo Trade Talks
The Brooklyn Nets failed in their bid to dethrone the Miami Heat this season, and the disappointing end to their season could force the team's front office to make big moves again this offseason.
According to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report, the Nets are expected to try to keep veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett for another run next season, while Deron Williams could be dealt this summer.
Sources indicated that Williams' struggle this season might convince the Nets to part ways with the superstar point guard and build the team around Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez.
"There is an alternative, sources say, the Nets will not rule out: They could look to trade Williams this summer, retool around Johnson and Lopez, squeeze one more run out of Pierce and Garnett and hope for the best," Beck wrote.
However, Beck also pointed out that trading Williams this summer will be easier said than done, considering the fact that he still has $63 million left in his contract.
The 29-year-old superstar point guard, who averaged just 14.3 points and 6.1 assists this season, was slowed down by ankle injury this season.
Beck added, though, that teams that acquired about Williams availability before this season's trade deadline could express interest in acquiring the nine-year veteran.
"It's hard to say what the Nets might get for a 29-year-old former All-Star with bad ankles and $63 million left on his contract, but it's worth exploring," Beck wrote. "The Houston Rockets tried to acquire Williams last December, so it's not inconceivable that another team desperate for point-guard help might inquire."
Meanwhile, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied rumors suggesting that the team is more open to trading Rajon Rondo this summer.
Rumors indicated that the Celtics and the Knicks talked about a trade involving Rondo, but Ainge insisted that those are all speculations, and the team is not planning to deal the superstar point guard.
"That's all speculation," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "Those aren't facts. People don't know that, so it's just people speculating on Rondo's free agency next summer. That's all that you're hearing. You're not hearing any facts from anybody. Those conversations haven't even been discussed, so that's just speculation."