While Rajon Rondo trade rumors have escalated, the Boston Celtics quietly offered him a contract extension. It was an extension that he politely declined. Celtics GM Danny Ainge wasn’t surprised that Rondo turned down the extension in fact he expected it but thought he would still give it a try.
From CBS Boston (via ProBasketballTalk):
“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, but it’s just not financially smart for him to accept it right now,” said Ainge. “We didn’t think he would [sign], but we did try.”
Though Rondo turned down the extension it might’ve just been for financial reasons as he pointed out that he wouldn’t mind finishing his career in Boston.
via Boston Globe:
“I like to stick to the script,” Rondo said before the Celtics played the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night at TD Garden. “I don’t like change much. I wouldn’t mind staying here the rest of my career.
“Things don’t always seem to go that way, but like I said before, it’s just a business. I wouldn’t mind extending another 10 years in Boston.”
There’s been rumors that the Celtics would trade Rondo as part of their rebuilding process but there’s a chance they might keep him as the anchor for the new team. The Celtics could offer Rondo an extra year as part of a max deal but we’ll have to wait and see what’s Ainge’s master plan. Also like Rondo said “it’s just a business”, as we’ve seen in the league before and in Boston itself, loyalty isn’t exactly key. The business comes first which means if trading Rondo is best for business then it’ll happen.
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
