Problem is that this league is littered with talented scoring point guards. We're in the midst of a point guard boom.
There are at least 6 who are arguably better than Rondo and several more of comparable talent.
Clippers - Chris Paul
Thunder - Westbrook
Spurs - Parker
Warriors - Curry
Cavs - Irving
Philly - Holiday
Brooklyn - Williams
...
I doubt any of the above teams would be interested in trading their Point guard straight up for Rondo.
Additionally you have:
Hornets - Vasquez (averaging 14, 9 and 4)
Portland - Lillard (one of the best young guards in the league)
Bucks - Jennings (23 and still improving)
Denver - Lawson
Toronto - Lowry
Timberwolves - Rubio
Washington - John Wall
Houston - Jeremy Lin
... FOr all of the above teams, I feel like it would be a tough sell. None of the above players are perfect, but neither is Rondo... and I imagine they'd have some debate over whether or not it was an actual upgrade or not.
There are teams like Utah who clearly need a quality PG (although they'd probably prefer one who could shoot so they could spread the floor enough to let their bigs do work down low)
The list starts to get really short. It's the reason why Ainge has been unsuccessful in trading Rondo despite shopping him every year. Teams around the league see him as a flawed player who may be the statistical beneficiary of his system. A lot of teams already have point guards they are content with. And a lot of teams are content not having a star point guard in the first place... they'd rather hang onto their talented bigs and talented scorers than trade for a flawed passer. For example, add Miami to a list of teams who doesn't give a crap if they have Rondo or not.
So I imagine the list of teams who would "kill" to get Rondo is pretty short. And of those teams, I'm not sure how many of them have an asset we'd be that interested in.
Houston would trade Lin for Rondo in a heartbeat.
Agreed, but Conley, Teague, Dragic are pretty good too. Miami, NYK, Pacers all have no real need for him. Nobody really wants Rondo.
I actually think that Conley, Teague, and Dragic should replace Vasquez, Lowry, and Lin on the above list.
But you're right about those 3 teams (NY is questionable); there are some teams, the way they're set up, who don't need a great pg to flourish.
But a team can always upgrade. The Heat really just don't need a pg, because of LeBron and Wade, so they're a bad example.
BUT, let me analyze (and this is pretending Rondo didn't tear his ACL):
Outside of -
Brooklyn
Minny
LAC
Cleveland
OKC
Portland
Philly
Golden State
San Antonio
Chicago
Washington (although I don't think Wall's gonna be much of a player; could be wrong)
- every team would see Rondo as an upgrade over their current starting PG (the youngins on the teams above are valued based on current skill, and potential)
Which leaves:
New York
Milwaukee
LAL
Orlando
Denver
Atlanta
Utah
Indie
Toronto
Dallas
Detroit
Houston
Charlotte
Sacramento
New Orleans
Phoenix
Memphis
Miami
To which Rondo would be an upgrade over their current pg.
Now, I already mentioned why Miami wouldn't want/ need Rondo.
But out of the other aforementioned teams:
New York doesn't really have the assets.
The Lakers have Nash for the moment, and if a trade were to happen, it would have already happened, I feel. Plus, they also don't really have the assets. I don't think they'd trade Dwight, and I don't think we'd take anyone else.
Memphis is doing pretty dang good with Conley, and lacks assets when it comes down to it. They won't give up Gasol.
So those teams are out.
Which brings me to the teams that have the potential assets, but may lack incentive because they're happy with their current pg:
Atlanta -I think it depends on the Josh Smith situation; they're high on Teague.
Denver - I think they'd trade for Rondo, to get that star that can put them over the top. But they're doing pretty freaking good, as is, and Lawson may or may not be their best player on a balanced team.
Indiana - I think they're cool with their current lineup, and their team is set up similarly to the current Celtics, but with a deeper frontcourt. You never know, they have some good youngins, and I think Rondo would put them over the top. George Hill is still young, and they have pg depth, so idt this is happening.
Milwaukee - I'm not sure how high they are on Jennings, but Rondo's a HUGE upgrade, either way. Jennings is only 23, so he still has a lot of development ahead of him.
Houston - Rondo is, and will be miles ahead of Lin, and Houston has a lot to give up. Rondo and Harden would be scary together, but it would probably cost them Asik, so I think it's out.
Toronto - Yeah, Kyle Lowry is good, no real flaws, but he's not an all star. They'd probably give up one of Derozan or Ross.
So, that leaves -
Orlando - Could just use some good players at this point.
Utah - Mo Williams is bleh. Rondo would have the same effect on them as he would for Denver. They're the best team out of this group, but Rondo would fit this lineup like a glove.
Dallas - They don't have too many assets, but they have Mark Cuban and cap space. Also depends on CP3.
Detroit - Brandon Knight is good, and has a boatload of potential, but I don't see him ever being as good as Rondo. Also, they, IN ALL LIKELINESS, wouldn't give up Drummond or Monroe. MAYBE Monroe.
Charlotte - Matters how high on Kemba they are. Me thinks they'd take Rondo.
Sacramento - Pfff. They'll trade anyone but Cousins.
New Orleans - I think (THINK) they'd give up Vasquez and Rivers, and probably more, for Rondo.
Phoenix - Once again, Pffff.
- These teams lack the good-great PG, lack the wins, and have the potential assets and probable inclination to trade some of said assets for Rondo. (picks count as assets)
So that's the basis from which you can guess who'd trade for Rajon Rondo, and why; unless you have some inside knowledge on the mind of some GM's. It's a fair amount of opinion, but I stayed as rational as possible.