“I talked to Wyc Grousbeck, the owner, and one thing he said in a small conference to me was ‘I’m am not trading Rondo.’

You remember when one of the Presidents said before ‘no new taxes,’ well he said the same thing, ‘I am not trading Rondo.’ So I’m gonna stick with that until he gets traded.”

Cedric Maxwell on CSNNE Sports Tonight

I’m going quote Jay in an email conversation about this story:

It’s funny, Donny Marshall can toss out something foolish and it gets tons of attention, yet Max says the OWNER told him he’s not trading him and you hear nothing.

Is Maxwell going to be on a bunch of talk shows today? Probably not.  Yet he’s the guy who talked to a specific person in power, the freakin’ owner, who told him “I am not trading Rondo.”

Yet Marshall, an ANALYST, not a reporter, says something vague according to “I don’t like to say sources, but people I’ve talked to” about Rondo being moved and it’s suddenly sparked a days-long rumor parade.

This isn’t to say I’m vehemently against trading Rondo.  If the right deal came along that made sense, you have to consider it.  You’d have to with anyone.  What I’m against is the validation of vague bullshit by the local media despite the fact that many much more credible sources denounced it.

To answer the question raised by Felger in the video…. should the Celtics trade Rondo?  Only if someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse.

The Celtics should not trade Rondo because he makes the team “too good” and jeopardizes any tanking efforts.  You tread too deep into the unknown with that kind of move and you’re laying too much of your paycheck on the roulette table when you do something like that.  If Rondo over 30 years old, it might be a different story.  But if he’s willing to stay (which he and his agent have sworn that he is) and the Celtics are willing to pay, then there’s no reason to trade him in this scenario.

One final note: It’s obvious Felger doesn’t pay attention or doesn’t care about reality because it’s clear to just about everyone that Rondo is fully invested in this team right now.  He’s been on the bench just about every game, working with guys, coaching guys, and working with Brad Stevens.

If this was any other player besides Rondo, these radio talk show hacks would be verbally fellating him on his involvement with the team.  But because it’s Rondo, and they’ve deemed him a problem, it’s dismissed.

Give the guy some credit:  He didn’t stubbornly rush back from his injury, he’s saying and doing all the right things, and he and Brad Stevens have gotten along better than even the most ardent optimist could imagine.   He has embraced his role on this team and, so far, has been everything the team could hope for.

On Page 2:  Brad Stevens’ next big challenge

Both Lee and Bass are pros and didn’t let rumors about a possible swap impact their play the other night during a visit from Detroit. The two showed up at the Celtics’ offday holiday event at a local hospital on Thursday with smiles on their faces as any chance of a deal evaporated. Being able to keep players focused on the larger team goal even when their individual names bubble in trade rumors is an encouraging sign for Stevens. Maybe those two will operate with a chip on their shoulders for a bit. Ultimately, all Boston can do now is remain focused on the future.

ESPN Boston:  For C’s, little changes after Asik flirtation

Brad Stevens faces a number of daily challenges in his transition from college to NBA coach.  This is the latest one:  how do you deal with guys who have been so obviously offered in a trade that has failed.

Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee were, by all accounts, offered in what is being characterized as the best deal Houston had on their plate.  When they go out to team events, things like this happen:

A hospital worker told Lee he was happy to see him still with the Celtics after both he and Bass had swirled in trade rumors with the Houston Rockets. Lee just smiled wide and nodded his head while returning to interact with the patients.

Trades are nothing new for these guys, and they seem to be handling it well.  Players understand that no one plays for one team forever anymore.  But it’s still Stevens’ next big challenge.  It’s one he’s never had to face before.   How do you keep an overachieving team together when it’s so clear that some guys in that locker room probably won’t be there in March?

Good luck, Brad.

Related links:  Herald:  Bass, Lee won’t buy into rumors

The rest of the links:

CSNNE:  Ainge admits to trade talks, says reports ’embellished’  |  Rockets, Celtics break off Asik talks  |  Rondo 13th in jersey sales  |  Herald:  Ainge won’t rush into Asik deal  |  Globe:  reported deal for Asik dead  |  WEEI:  Celtics owners invest in electric car racing circuit