This might be the least likeliest trade for many reasons. First, I think one of the only realistic ways to get Rajon Rondo would be to also take on the contract of Gerald Wallace, which would be possible. However, that still doesn’t give the Lakers many assets to trade for, and Celtics GM Danny Ainge is always looking for draft picks.
The move does, however, give Boston cap space. While they weren’t players in free agency last year, you have to imagine that at some point, that will come. Freeing up the $10 million owed to Wallace would be a huge positive for Ainge, and the Lakers are one of the only teams who can offer that. On top of the pick, they also get a guard in Jordan Clarkson who looks like a stud based on what we’ve seen so far. The other two players, Hill and Lin, and in the trade primary for salary matching reasons.
The Lakers, obviously, get a big star in Rondo. While his recent injuries may scare some teams away, the Lakers seem to be desperately looking for star power. Rondo does bring that, and for the final year and a half, he is the perfect point guard alongside Bryant. While they do have to suffer through Wallace’s contract, it still expires in time to make a run at Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, which appears to be the long-term focus for the Lakers.