Even though Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck has said himself, that they are not trading Rajon Rondo, the rumors of a Rondo trade are incessant on the internet. They appear from all over the country and sure, why wouldn’t so many of these teams want Rondo? Back in 2007 the owner of one team in particular, the Minnesota Timberwolves, wanted Rondo even when he was just coming off his rookie season. Glen Taylor called Wyc Grousbeck and asked that Rondo be included in the blockbuster deal for Kevin Garnett. Back then, Wyc knew what he had and refused to include Rondo in a trade. For Kevin Garnett. Think about that for a second. Wyc was willing to blow a chance at getting KG because of a player who, at the time was not what he is now. So I ask: if Rondo was a deal breaker for KG back then, why exactly would Wyc change his mind now when Rondo has become the player he is now?
In the summer of 2007, Wyc Grousbeck, a co-owner of the Boston Celtics, went for a quiet, solitary walk along a beach on Cape Cod. He had his cellphone, and when it rang, he was ready for the call and even readier for his response.
The caller was the Minnesota Timberwolves’ owner, Glen Taylor. He insisted that Rajon Rondo, who had just finished his first season in Boston, be a part of the deal that was being brokered to send Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Taylor said his team desperately needed a young point guard.
Grousbeck was polite, but firm. There would be no deal if the Timberwolves did not back off their demand for Rondo. Including him was a nonstarter, the Celtics’ owner told Taylor, even in a deal for a future Hall of Famer like Garnett. Taylor eventually backed off and the teams struck the now famous deal that sent Garnett to Boston. Minnesota did end up with a young point guard — Sebastian Telfair.
New York Times – Celtics banking on Rondo, for now
This is actually not new information. If you read Peter May’s book “Top of the World” that he wrote following the 2008 championship season, you would have known this already. But reminding us all now seems like a good time since Rondo’s name keeps coming up. Danny Ainge and Wyc Grousbeck themselves have constantly stated that they plan on building around Rondo. Look, I’m not naive enough to think whatever they say is etched in stone, but there just aren’t many logical options to deal him. He’s a guy you cash in assets for, not deal away just for the sake of dealing him. I’m sure we’ll keep reading random stories about Rondo being rumored in deals. And I’m sure basically every one of them are laughable.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
