Rajon Rondo will become a free agent after the 2014-15 NBA season and several teams are expected to express interest in acquiring him, but the Dallas Mavericks will have the upper hand in the offseason.

Rondo, who was traded from Boston Celtics to Dallas in December, said he is not yet thinking about free agency. When pressed to discuss his options, Rondo said the Mavericks have the "upside" in free agency, but he said anything can still happen in the offseason.

Aside from the Mavericks, Sporting News reported the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, who are both looking to sign superstars to improve their team next season, are expected to make a strong push to acquire the 28-year-old point guard.

"My focus has been basketball, basketball, basketball, not necessarily being a free agent," Rondo told USA Today. "I mean obviously I think (the Mavericks will) have the upside. I wouldn't say it's wide open, but I wouldn't say it's closed either because obviously they are the team that came and got me and from Day One they've been very loyal and very supportive in this transition for me."

In seven games with the Mavericks, Rondo averaged 15.4 points to go along with 7.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds. In their 119-101 win over the Celtics on Friday, the All-Star point guard erupted for 29 points on 12-for-19 shooting from the field and also tallied six rebounds and five assists.

Rondo said he was "fortunate" when the Celtics decided to trade him to Dallas instead of other interested teams because he will have a chance to compete for the title this season.

Rondo, who won in five of his first seven games in a Mavericks uniform, said, however, he has bigger responsibilities in Dallas compared to when he was still with Celtics, especially on the defensive end of the floor.

"Here they expect me to play defense," Rondo said via Sporting News. "And in the West, if you don't play defense you'll get embarrassed every night at the point guard position. I look at it as a challenge myself. It's not just me. It's my teammates. Our communication is getting a lot better."

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