NBA: Rondo headed from Celtics to Mavs

Boston Celtics’ guard Rajon Rondo. AP FILE PHOTO

Los Angeles, United States—The Boston Celtics have traded versatile point guard Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks for three key players and an NBA first- and second-round draft pick, the Mavericks said Thursday.

The Mavericks will give up Brandan Wright, Jameer Nelson and Jae Crowder — three key members of their playing rotation — along with their 2015 first-round draft selection and a 2016 second-round draft pick in a deal that will also bring Dwight Powell to Dallas.

Rondo, 28, was the last of the core group of players that led the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008 after the departures of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

He is in his ninth season with the Celtics, but has played just 90 games over the last three campaigns because of various injuries, most recently a broken hand and a torn knee ligament.

However, he has a league-leading three triple-doubles this season and is averaging a league-high 10.8 assists along with 8.3 points and 7.5 rebounds.

“We would not have won (our 17th title) without Rajon and will always consider him one of our most valuable Celtics, both on the court and in the community working with kids,” the Celtics said in a statement. “We will always cherish the time he was here.”

The deal comes with Dallas in third place in the rugged Southwest Division, behind Memphis and Houston.

Reigning NBA champions San Antonio and upstart New Orleans round out the competitive division in which the Mavericks are hoping Rondo will help them contend.

Rondo is due to be an unrestricted free agent after this season but has indicated to the Mavericks that he would sign a contract extension next summer, Yahoo Sports reported.

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