I expect rumors to pick up because there are a lot of idiots with Twitter accounts who like to post nonsense. I don't expect an increase in rumors with actual substance behind them.
If you're an idiot with a twitter account, capitalizing on the September 12th date is a good way to make a believable rumor.
I don't even think it'll be that low-level.
ESPN will be looking to kill time and some poor staffer will say "well, uh, Kris Humphries can be traded today," and then they'll build 24-48 hours of coverage out of that. Twitter and the rest of the internet will react accordingly.
Ala this gem (NSFW word in the title): http://deadspin.com/how-espn-manufactures-a-story-colin-kaepernick-edition-1185400028
During football season ESPN doesn't need to kill time with nonsense random thoughts about the NBA.
Why would they squander the opportunity for some easy clicks?
"Top 29 destinations for Kris Humphries"
"Top 29 destinations to move Rondo with Humphries"
"Top 10 ways the Celtics could use Humphries"
"Top 10 point guards not named Rondo, and therefore why the Celtics should move Rondo"
"Power rankings if the Celtics move Humphries"
"Power rankings if the Celtics stand pat"
"Power rankings if the Celtics move Humphries and Rondo"
Think of all the lists they can generate! I'm just spitballing here! We're talking lists alone! The potential for headlines is endless.....
"YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: Rondo might be dating Kim Kardashian
is something I've been fantasizing about. How crazy would it be if Rondo dated Kim, huh?"
"Rondo - coach killer, bad teammate, SLEEPING WITH YOUR EX AS I TYPE -
allegedly"
"Celtics RUMORED to be looking to move Humphries ASAP after rumors linking Rondo and Kardashian started by unknown source"
"WHAT IF THE CELTICS KEPT KRIS HUMPHRIES AND MOVED RONDO INSTEAD"
"5 reasons why the Celtics should move Rondo instead of Humphries"
"Make that 30"