Ainge On Rondo: 'Nobody Is Untradeable, But I Don't See That Happening'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge continues to say that he wants Rajon Rondo to be part of the team's future, but also admits he doesn't know what the future holds for the point guard.
Ainge, speaking at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Worcester on Sunday, said he tried to reach a contract extension with Rondo each of the past two summers, but admitted that it makes more financial sense for him to become a free agent after the upcoming season.
So what does that mean for the future of Rondo and the Celtics?
"The truthful answer is I really don't know," Ainge said, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. "I have no intention. I'm not trying to trade Rondo, but because he's a free agent this summer, he assured me that he wants to stay in Boston. We'd love to keep him in Boston.
"The possibility of a trade is not out of the question," he added. "Nobody is untradeable, but I don't see that happening."
Rondo will make $12.9 million for the upcoming season, making him the highest paid player on the team.
Ainge said that he won't set any expectations or goals for the 2014-15 Celtics, and would rather hear what the players feel they can accomplish. He knows the team is in the middle of a rebuild, and after an offseason that didn't include any "fireworks," this upcoming season won't be ending with another banner being raised in the TD Garden.
"I don't think our team is in contention for a championship," he admitted. "We are a young team and we're in the development stages."
While the Celtics didn't get another star to play alongside Rondo, Ainge does feel the team acquired some assets that can be used in the near future. But patience will be key when the young squad hits the floor.
"It wasn't the fireworks that we tried," Ainge said of the team's offseason, "and we continue to try to do, but we're excited about Marcus (Smart) and his future and James Young and his future. We need to be more patient with James, especially out of the gate. I think Marcus is more physically ready to play at our level than James is today, but we hope for fast progress from James. I felt like we acquired some assets. We didn't panic and do anything that was silly."
The Celtics begin training camp on September 30.
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