Boston Celtics eyeing opening day return for Rajon Rondo

Apr 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) on the court before the start of game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a torn ACL in January, so his status is up in the air for the early part of the season. However, the Celtics front office has a plan of their own in store for Rondo, which would require him returning to the line up for the opening game of the season.

Many believe that a December or January return is the most likely option, but Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has a different timeline in sight.

From Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston:

"Ainge did admit that the team might have to take it slow with Rondo during training camp starting in late September, but said being ready for opening night in late October was a reasonable goal.That’s still an aggressive timeline considering Rondo had surgery in February and would be little more than eight months removed from surgery for that partially torn ACL by opening night.Pierce and Garnett hinted that they have suggested to Rondo to take it slow, maybe noting that there’s little rush to get back for a team in transition. But after Rondo had to sit out the final three months of the 2012-13 season, it’s going to be hard to keep him pinned down."

With Rondo being the last star on the Celtics roster, it is obvious to understand why they would like him back in the line up as soon as possible. But they do need to realize that rushing him back to the court could do more harm than good to his availability for the long term vision.

Whatever happens on the Rondo front, let’s just hope that we don’t have another Derrick Rose situation on our hands.

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