Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“I like to stick to the script,” said Rondo. “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.”
Rondo said he believes his agent and Celtics brass talked earlier this month about an extension, but said he hasn’t thought much about his next contract.
Told that Ainge admitted that Rondo could command “star money” on the open market, Rondo replied, “I’m making star money now, really. It’s a pretty good living.” Rondo said he’d let his agent handle all the numbers.
Ten years might be a bit much for a point guard, but I’ll gladly take Rondo in green for another 5-6 years.
Chris Forsberg does a great job analyzing the potential contract scenarios facing Rondo and the Celtics:
This summer, Boston has two potential extension options for Rondo. The team can tack on a three-year, $44.8 million extension to the final year of his current deal without a signing bonus, which would pay him the scheduled $12.9 million in 2014-15, $13.9 million in 2015-16; $14.9 million in 2016-17; and $16 million in 2017-18. Or, if Boston can stomach a signing bonus payment of $6.6 million, those annual salaries would drop to $11.7 million, $12.5 million and $13.4 million in the extended seasons.
For Rondo, that could be an intriguing bit of short-term security, while also giving him a chance at another big-money deal after the 2017-18 campaign when he’d still be only 32 years old.
3 years and $45 million? I bet Danny Ainge would do that deal in a heartbeat. My gut says Rondo holds out for the max contract:
As a Bird Rights free agent after the 2014-15 season, Rondo could command as much as a five-year max-money deal from Boston, which would put him in line for a potential $100-plus million contract.
Using an estimate of $18.2 million for a first-year max figure (again, the actual number will depend on the cap that season), Rondo’s salary charges would grow to $19.6 million in 2016-17, $20.9 million in 2017-18, $22.3 million in 2018-19, and $23.7 million in 2019-20, when he’d be 34 years old.
I’m perfectly fine with those numbers, too.
I think this year’s draft will have a major impact on what Ainge offers Rondo. If the Celtics secure a top 4 pick and franchise type player (Parker, Wiggins, Embiid, Randle, etc) then they’ll offer Rondo a max contract. Why? Because they’ll have that future franchise player at super cheap money and Rondo becomes the perfect compliment.
If they fall out of the top 4, then the situation becomes tricky. Ainge might be prone to swing a mega-deal for a franchise type player. And forecasting those scenarios is damn near impossible.
Related links: CSNNE – Rondo: I’d like to end my career in Boston | Herald – Rondo’s first choice is green | Globe – Rondo open to staying with Celtics
On Page 2, KG and PP are bracing for an emotional return.
“I just know that the emotions will probably be high, just because of the success that we had while we were in Boston,” Garnett told reporters in Brooklyn following Friday’s win. “We had some really good years there, some really promising years. I think it’s going to be forever, we’re embedded in it. … I think anybody who’s part of that run and part of that era will always be remembered. Bostonians, New Englanders, they understand that and they never forget their favorites. We was fortunate to be part of that whole transformation.
“Some things are forever, man,” added Garnett. “I’m happy to say that I’m part of that era.”
Garnett spent most of his seven-minute postgame interview reflecting on his six seasons in Boston, alternating between nostalgic and playfully curious in advance of Sunday’s visit.
“It’ll be good to be back in Boston,” said Garnett. “I hear it’s freezing as s—. No different from New York. East Coast is East Coast. But, for the most part, it should be fun to go back and see what happens.”
Added Garnett: “It’ll be what it is, man. I’m going to embrace it for whatever it is and I’m sure the emotions are going to be very high. And then I’ll react accordingly. But we’re there to win a game, and I hope this doesn’t overshadow the game. It’ll be good to see [former teammate Rajon] Rondo and some other personal friends that obviously don’t play. Other than that, it’s another game that I have to be prepared for.”
And Paul? [link]
For his part, Pierce, who elected to skip a preseason game here in October in order to make this his one-time return to the Garden this season, had already begun making plans for Sunday’s game.
“I talked to [Celtics travel and equipment manager John Connor] today and I told him I’ll probably sit in the equipment room like I used to always do in my 15 years there, who knows,” said Pierce. “It’s going to be a little weird, though.”
Pierce said it would be fun to see all the familiar faces, including season-ticket holders that watched him grow during his 15 years with the Celtics.
“It’s going to be a lot of emotions,” said Pierce. “You play your whole life there, you win a championship there, I mean, being the first time back … It’s going to be special. I don’t know how I’ll react, what emotions are going to be going through my head.”
I’m curious, will there be one video tribute for both players? I’d prefer to see two.
Oh man, I’m on the verge of tears already.
Related: CSNNE – Heinsohn: Show Pierce, KG the love, then beat them | Perk on Pierce, KG: It’s going to be crazy
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Sullinger struggles thru dislocated finger | Would you trade Big 3 era for Durant? | Celtics thunder-clapped | ESPN Boston – Thanks for staying | Rondo needs a little more time | MWDN: No Durant, no problem for OKC
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