The Boston Celtics and star Rajon Rondo appear headed toward a long-term future together. Rondo and Celtics president Danny Ainge appeared to be on the same page during Monday's media day, with Rondo indicating he wanted to stay in Boston and Ainge suggesting Rondo was worth a max contract from the team.
Boston trading Rondo appeared a foregone conclusion up until recently, when Ainge indicated the four-time All-Star had expressed a desire to remain a Celtic. When the two appeared together Monday for media day, it seemed even less likely Rondo would be in a different uniform before the February trade deadline.
Two reasons why: 1) Rondo seemingly wants to stay in Boston for the long haul, and 2) Ainge appears to be open to giving Rondo a max-level contract.
Many people - including this writer - believed Rondo would be gone by February. It seemed too risky for Ainge not to deal Rondo this season and risk losing the point guard as a free agent in July. But that was contingent on the assumption Rondo wanted to test free agency, where teams such as the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers were expected to be waiting.
While it could be a smokescreen, Rondo is saying all the right things about playing out his career in Boston.
"The fans, the people here, make me want to stay," Rondo said Monday, via the Boston Globe. "The organization has been great. When I walk down the street, the fans embrace me from Day 1. Even when we won a championship, people don't just appreciate us winning. It's more of a thank you. It's a love for the game. These people here know the game and they care for it. They know when you're not playing as hard as you can. The love I get is kind of overwhelming in Boston.
"Why wouldn't I want to stay here?"
If Rondo wants to stay in Boston and if Ainge has no doubt about that, it's unlikely Rondo is going anywhere. The other part of Rondo staying in Boston is probably the payday, which Ainge said Rondo deserved and seemed to indicate would be available for him.
"I think a four-time All-Star by the time he's 27 years old would qualify for max based on what we've seen in the marketplace," said Ainge. "If I were Rajon and I were Rajon's agent [Bill Duffy], I would definitely say that. But since I'm negotiating against him, I'll withhold."
An extension never seemed likely to happen, since Rondo can make the most money by re-signing with Boston as a free agent.
It'll be interesting to see how Rondo and rookie point guard Marcus Smart play together, assuming the Celtics want to run a backcourt with two 1-guards. If it works, great. If it doesn't, does Ainge revisit his stance on wanting to keep Rondo in green?
