Rajon Rondo, the Boston Celtics' All-Star point guard, is a frequent subject of trade rumors because of his interesting personality, unique skillset, and impending free agency after next season. According to reports, the Celtics recently discussed extending their mercurial point guard but didn't get very far.
"We did talk to Rondo about extending him," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "But that's all part of the negotiation that will happen again this summer and most likely the summer after."
Ainge blames complications in the new collective bargaining agreement for their current inability to hammer anything out.
"In the collective bargaining agreement, there are limits on what can and can't be done. Really, it's not that Rondo doesn't want to accept an extension, as much as it's just not financially smart for him to accept it right now. We didn't think he would [sign], but we did try."
The free agent class of 2015 has a lot of starry names in it. Joining Rondo in the 2015 unrestricted class are Kevin Love (player option), Paul Millsap, Brook Lopez (player option), Al Jefferson (player option), Tyson Chandler and LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker. Outside of Parker, that list largely consists of big men, and taking age into account, Rondo might be the most desirable name on that list.
Ainge knows the competition to retain him will be ferocious, which is why they're extending offers already. "I think that Rondo will demand quite a bit in the open market," Ainge said. "The competition for Rondo in free agency will be very high."
Rondo tore his ACL last season, but before that he was putting up 13.7 points and 11.1 assists a night. In three games this year since returning from that injury Rondo has scored five points 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Ainge and the Celtics seem like they're planning on building around Rondo, rather than dealing him for lottery tickets, but acknowledged the possibility of losing him.
Recently, Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News continued to perpetuate trade rumors though. "More than a few GMs around the league expect Rondo to be on the move, if not at the trading deadline next month, then maybe in June at draft time."
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