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http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2011/1130/bos_113011_rondo_2.jpg
I'm sure you have heard the latest rumors of Rajon Rondo heading to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Chris Paul. However, that deal appears all but dead now after Paul announced that he will not sign any long-term deal with the Boston Celtics if he's traded to the franchise.

With that, the Celtics have not stopped with shopping Rondo. Several other rumors have came up that Rondo could head elsewhere like the Indiana Pacers. However, in my opinion as a Pacers fan, the deal probably won't work. As it looks right now, Boston would deal Rondo and Glen Davis (or Jermaine O'Neal) for Paul George and Roy Hibbert. Honestly, I don't think it will happen. The Pacers will be giving up a franchise-center in Hibbert and a prized young small forward in George. With that, the Pacers are basically trading their future for Rondo, in which the team already has two point guards ready to go in Darren Collison and George Hill. So basically, it's not gonna happen.

Plus, Boston should know why no star player probably won't head to Boston...because it's Boston. That's one factor, and that's one of the many reasons Chris Paul said what he did today. Paul is more interested in the bigger market teams like New York or Los Angeles. Boston is in Dallas' class at best, or behind them. Along with that, the team is aging and it's not going to get any younger. Ray Allen will be 36 and Kevin Garnett is 35. Paul Pierce 34 years of age, I think. So basically, this team is aging. With that, Paul will be nothing more than a one-man team like what he was in New Orleans. Sure, he will have those guys, but only for a few years. He'd probably much rather be with guys in their prime in New York with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Or with a title-contending team with Kobe Bryant and the young big men in Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

So why deal Rondo? This guy has been sensational and continues to improve each and every year. This guy wants to stay on the team and is basically the future when you look at it. I don't why you would want to deal him. It would be better if you build the pieces around him for the future once the Big Three is gone. Besides dealing Rondo, why not deal other guys on the team to prepare better for the future? With the squad they have now, they can still fit in a championship somewhere, but the time is ticking as the stars of this team continue to age.

They can build a solid team around Rondo. The future is still bright for Boston. Just don't ruin it by dealing away Rondo. He's the guy now.

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