Rajon Rondo rumors: Could Boston Celtics let Rondo walk?
Boston Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo has reportedly informed the Celtics he will not be re-signing with them when he becomes a free agent after the 2014-2015 season and would like to be traded, according to Jackie MacMullan.
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Jay King of MassLive.com wonders if the Celtics would take the risk of keeping Rondo through the season knowing that Rondo could simply walk in free agency following the season.
"Obviously, MacMullan’s report does not mesh with everything else being said. But she is a Hall of Fame scribe, one of the most solid sports reporters alive. When she speaks, it’s typically wise to listen. So, yeah, her comments are clearly very interesting.If Rondo has told Boston he wants to leave, a number of questions come to mind. Did he decide that just because of a bad roster? Would Ainge sell to the highest bidder? If he doesn’t find a trade he likes, would the Celtics — knowing cap space is valuable even if Rondo walks — possibly keep the point guard in hopes of convincing him to change his mind? What if Boston performs better than expected during the coming season, then has a lot of money to spend next summer? Would Rondo reconsider? Would he want a max contract?"
The Celtics could find a team with expiring contracts and find a package that allows them to have cap space in 2015. Of course, if rookie point guard Marcus Smart is impressive, trading Rondo would almost certainly be the best option.
Returning from an ACL injury, Rondo played in just 30 games last season, but still managed to put up 11.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.3% from the field, 28.9% from beyond the arc and 62.7% from the free throw line. Rondo was orginally selected by the Celtics with the 21st-overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and saw great team success early playing with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.. In his eight-year career, he has averaged 11.1 points, 8.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.5% from the floor, 25.2% from three and 62.1% from the free throw line.
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