The Boston Celtics denied wanting to trade Rajon Rondo to the New York Knicks or Houston Rockets. Celtics president Danny Ainge dismissed reports of an Iman Shumpert and Amar'e Stoudemire or Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik package, telling the Boston Herald on Tuesday that he hasn't discussed any trades for Rondo.
"I haven't talked to any teams about Rajon Rondo," he told The Herald.
Ainge admitted he received calls about whether the Rondo trade rumors were true, which he called "frustrating." Although Rondo is constantly the subject of trade speculation, Ainge emphasized the Celtics' plans to make Rondo an integral part of the team's future.
The company line has long been that Rondo would remain a Celtic. He's expected to become the leader as the club rebuilds, and the Celtics want to use this season and the next to determine if Rondo can helm the team without Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
New York's pursuit of Rondo was reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
"The Knicks' primary target is Rondo, Boston's All-Star point guard who is recovering from knee surgery," Isola wrote on Sunday. "The Knicks have been trying to trade Shumpert, Raymond Felton and Stoudemire in a complicated deal for Rondo but the Celtics haven't shown much interest."
Isola also indicated the Rockets could be after Rondo.
"(A trade) scenario involving Rondo could unfold in the coming weeks and months with the Rockets amendable to trading unhappy backup center Omer Asik," Isola wrote. "... The Celtics may have interest in both the 7-foot Asik and Jeremy Lin. (Rockets coach Kevin) McHale is now Houston's head coach and Rockets GM Daryl Morey started his career in the Celtics' front office."
A trade with Houston is more plausible for Boston. The Celtics already have a lockdown defender in guard Avery Bradley, and Stoudemire's hefty contract is a lot to take on, although the forward 's deal expires after next season - if he doesn't opt out this summer.
Rondo is still recovering from ACL surgery and isn't expected back on the court before January. He participated in 5-on-5 contact drills during Monday's practice, according to the Boston Globe.
