Sean Deveney of the Sporting News is dumping cold water on the Rondo talk:
“It really is the same thing, teams call about him but the Celtics want him and he wants to be the leader of that team,” one source said. “It has always been his intention to establish himself in that role, to be part of the rebuilding and to stay in Boston for a long time. Nothing has changed.”
And for the millionth time, we have to be the ones that clarify what’s really going on here.
Many teams are going to ask about Rajon Rondo. Many GM’s, knowing that Danny Ainge is willing to talk to them, will ask about Rondo, express an interest in Rondo, and maybe even get Danny Ainge to lay down a baseline price for even beginning to entertain the notion of dealing Rondo. To wit:
The Toronto Sun reported that the Raptors also inquired about Rondo, but a source told Sporting News that, unless there is a multi-team deal, Toronto does not have the assets to land Rondo. Which has been typical of the conversations involving Rondo for the last two years — teams call and ask, the Celtics give an idea of what it will take to make a deal happen, and the conversation ends there.
But, despite what some lazy people out there might say, that’s not “shopping” Rondo. “Shopping” begins when Ainge calls other teams and asks them “what can I get for this guy?” When teams ask “what will it take” and Ainge answers, that’s just him doing his job. However, this all might still not be enough to convince you guys. Maybe this will help:
FWIW, Woj on SXM Radio: “I haven’t heard anything about Rondo”
— Jay O (@MrTrpleDouble10) February 18, 2014
Of course, none of this is the final word on Rondo until the deadline passes. We all know that. But when you look at the reliable sources, there is a constant refrain: The Celtics are happy to move forward with Rondo, and Rondo wants to prove that he can be the leader of this team. Other GM’s, agents, owners, and even members of the media will have agendas and leak details of discussions here and there, but when we shake this magic 8-ball and ask “will Rondo stay a Celtic?” the little blue triangle continues to answer “all signs point to yes.”
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