NBA: Fierce rivals Lakers, Celtics talk Howard for Rondo swap - report

Could two rival teams put aside their differences and make a trade that would drastically change their franchises? CBS Sports' NBA Insider Ken Berger reported Friday (Saturday, PHL time) that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics have had "preliminary trade discussions" that would see LA send Boston center Dwight Howard in exchange for point guard Rajon Rondo. "CBSSports.com has learned that the Lakers have engaged in preliminary trade discussions with an unlikely trade partner regarding Howard: their fierce rival, the Boston Celtics," writes Berger. "The centerpieces of the possible deal, which hasn't gained any traction, would be Howard and Rajon Rondo." The Celtics would have to throw in an additional player or two to make the numbers work, likely forward Jeff Green. Such a trade, if consummated prior to the league deadline for deals, would effectively mean the Lakers are giving up on the season, as their other big man Pau Gasol, is still expected to miss significant time, while Rondo is out until early next season after tearing his ACL. The Celtics on the other hand, have gotten along fine without Rondo, winning eight of their last nine, to move up to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Adding Howard would suddenly make them a scary contender in the weak East. [Related: 'We will not make a trade' says Lakers GM] However, as Berger points out, there are two significant hurdles to such a trade being made. First, the Lakers have repeatedly said that they wouldn't trade Howard. Second, Howard's contract is expiring after this season, and the Celtics would be unwilling to send away Rondo, without a guarantee that Howard would sign a long-term extension for the squad. Other teams eying Howard are the Brooklyn Nets, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Houston Rockets. Despite being slowed by a multitude of injuries, Howard currently averages 16.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for his team. Rondo, prior to his injury, normed 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 11.1 assists and 1.8 steals. The NBA trade deadline is scheduled for Thursday, February 21 (Feb. 22, PHL time). - Adrian Dy, GMA News