Celtics trade point guard Rondo to the Mavericks

BOSTON — The Celtics traded point guard Rajon Rondo to Dallas on Thursday night, cutting ties with the last remnant of Boston’s last NBA championship while giving Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks a chance at another title.

The Celtics will send Rondo and forward Dwight Powell to Dallas for Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright, Jameer Nelson and two draft picks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the trade was not official yet.

Boston will acquire a firstround pick in next year’s draft and a second-rounder in 2016. The Celtics have eight firstsince. round picks in the next four The deal has been years in years, picking them up in the making, with the Celtics trades for Kevin Garnett and shopping Rondo every time a Paul Pierce and even coach coach grows tired of his moods Doc Rivers as it sheds the or his contract expectations pieces of the new Big Three grow too large for their budget. that earned the franchise its But every previous time Bosunprecedented 17th NBA title ton management decided that in 2008. the offers weren’t enough.

The Mavericks get a passRondo, 28, joined the first point guard — a four-time rebuilding Celtics as the 21st all-star — to team with Nowitoverall pick out of Kentucky in zki, Monta Ellis and Chandler 2006 and became the point Parsons in what they hope will guard for an NBA champion in make them a contender again. his second year when Boston Dallas is 19-8 this season but acquired Ray Allen and Kevin in third place in the Southwest Garnett the next summer. He Division and sixth in the Westhelped the Celtics reach the ern Conference. NBA finals again two years

The Mavericks,later.whowon their only NBA title in 2011, With the Celtics mired in have not won a playoff series what now looks to be an extended rebuilding process, though, Rondo became more valuable as a trading chip. Due to be a free agent at the end of the season, he was reportedly expecting a contract at or near the NBA maximum.

Rondo has averaged 11 points, 8.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds over his career. He missed the second half of the 2012-13 season and the first half of last season to have reconstructive knee surgery, and then reportedly fell in the shower in Las Vegas on the eve of training camp and missed all of the preseason.

In 22 games this season for Boston, Rondo had an NBAbest 10.8 assists per game and also averaged 8.3 points and 7.5 rebounds.