Yahoo’s Marc Spears has a story about Rajon Rondo’s early success in Sacramento where he sheds some light on a contract extension the Celtics reportedly offered Rondo last year:
Rondo was in the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract with the Boston Celtics when last season began. He was the last player remaining from Boston’s 2008 NBA championship team and appeared receptive to a contract extension. But after Rondo turned down a five-year extension estimated to pay close to $70 million in hopes of landing a maximum contract later, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 18.
“I don’t look at the past at all,” Rondo said. “What’s for me is what’s for me. Everybody always talks about money, money, money. But for me it’s all about happiness.”
The extension offer isn’t a secret. Danny Ainge mentioned it back in January of 2014. He didn’t reveal dollars but, because of CBA rules, we had an idea:
- Feb. 1, 2014 – June 30, 2014: Rondo can only sign a two-year, $28.8 million extension
- July 10, 2014 – June 30, 2015: Rondo can sign a three-year, $44.8 million extension
- July 10, 2015: Rondo can sign an estimated five-year, $108 million free-agent contract with the Celtics
Technically, Boston couldn’t offer a 5 year, $70 million extension. They could only offer $70 million once Rondo hit free agency. Maybe Spears is referring to some sort of “this is the highest we are willing to go” discussion Ainge had with Rondo. Back then, there was chatter that Rondo was looking for max money ($100 million).
What if Rondo took the offer? Would the Celtics have drafted Julius Randle in 20014 knowing that Rondo would be around for the next 5 years? Would this team be in better/worse shape?
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