Boston Celtics have traded star point guard Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks.
The four-time All-Star along with forward Dwight Powell were shipped to the Mavericks for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and draft picks, team officials announced on Thursday.
Rondo leads the NBA in assists per game (10.3) so his arrival is a major boost to the Mavericks, who already boast of Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons.
The 28-year-old guard joined the Celtics in 2006-07 after he was traded by the Phoenix Suns, who selected him 21st overall in that year’s rookie draft.
Rondo teamed up with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to lead the Celtics to an NBA record 17th title in 2008. The former University of Kentucky Wildcat is the last player from that champion team to leave the club.
Rondo is expected to make his debut for the Mavericks in their home game against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. The Mavericks are currently ranked third in the Southwest Division with a 19-8 record, just behind Memphis (21-4) and Houston (19-6).
As for the Celtics, they recently waived Brazilian center Vitor Faverani to accommodate the three players they received from the trade.
Nelson (7.3 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Wright (8.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg) are expected to make key contributions to the Celtics, who are ranked third in the weak Atlantic Division with a 9-14 record.
