The Dallas Mavericks' blockbuster acquisition of star point guard Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics on Thursday will have ramifications on the Western Conference standings and, from the looks of it, on the team's work in free agency as well.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Rondo trade makes the Mavs favorites when it comes to possibly luring veteran big man Jermaine O'Neal back onto an NBA court:
Acquisition of Rajon Rondo, ESPN sources say, has given Mavs undeniable edge in race to lure veteran big man Jermaine O'Neal back to NBA
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 19, 2014
O'Neal lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and that coupled with the opportunity to play with his old Boston Celtics teammate (2010-12) could give the Mavs a major upper hand in negotiations:
O'Neal makes home in DFW area and has long hoped to play for Mavs. But now, with Rondo there, I'm told he's highly intrigued by possibility
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 19, 2014
Two other teams are said to be in the race for the 36-year-old center/power forward, but the Dallas Mavericks have clearly distanced themselves from the pack:
Cavs and Warriors also among teams that hoped to be able to talk O'Neal into coming back once the calendar flipped, but Mavs have edge now
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 19, 2014
O'Neal still hasn't given a clear indication as to his intentions this season, with Stein reporting that O'Neal has pegged early 2015 as a deadline for announcing a potential retirement. Stay tuned.
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