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.

“If he were to play as early as this week,” Stevens said, “I would probably play him in shorter stints but still play him quite a bit.”

Chalk that up to one of the many lessons Stevens learned from his first season as the Celtics’ head coach last year.

“If I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t have thrown him to the wolves the way that we broke up his 20 minutes last year in games,” Stevens said. “Because it’s really hard just to come from not playing to playing.”

CSNNE: Rondo’s minutes may be staggered upon return

The Celtics season (and subsequent countdown to the end of it) begins tomorrow night, quite possible with Rajon Rondo.  He survived the entire full-contact practice yesterday, and word is that he’s on track to play tomorrow night… even though he played coy after practice.

“I’m still optimistic,” he said. “I don’t know. I’m going to get probably another X-ray today and see how it goes. Hopefully, I get through practice today. Just take it one day at a time. I don’t think (tomorrow) is realistic, but (with) a lot of rest and more treatment, you never know.”

Asked to put a percentage on his availability for the opener against Brooklyn, Rondo tossed out a number.

“Probably 79 right now,” he said. “That’s pretty high. I mean, I feel good. It’s just contact is a completely different thing. If I land on it and if I get taken out of the air and have to brace myself, it’s still different, so I don’t know yet.

79 percent is classic Rondo.

#Rondo #openingnight #Celtics pic.twitter.com/6gQ2IFr9Zz

— KWAPT (@KWAPT) October 27, 2014

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Assuming that the 79% becomes 100% by tomorrow night (we’ll have to see how his hand reacts today and how he feels after one more practice) Rondo will probably start and be told to go all out for shorter bursts as he gets his game legs under him.  It doesn’t really matter how hard you go in practice, game speed is unique because you can’t completely replicate that scenario.  There is an adrenaline on game night you can’t get in practice, and it can turn your legs to rubber real quick.

So if Rondo is indeed out there, don’t be shocked to see a quick sub, and then him going back in after a couple of minutes.  He could play four minutes, sit two, play another four, then sit again until the next quarter.

Ultimately, the worst case scenario is that Rondo doesn’t play tomorrow night and instead makes his season debut Saturday or Monday.  If that’s the case, Marcus Smart will start in his place, which is pretty impressive for the rookie.  I’m excited to see how he’ll be used.

Related links:  CSNNE:  Rondo a “79%” chance for opening night  |  Globe: Rondo hasn’t ruled out playing in opener  |  ESPN Boston:  Rondo 79% chance of playing in opener  |  WEEI: Rondo gives himself 79% chance to play Wednesday  |  MassLive: Rondo gives himself 79% chance of returning for opener

Page 2: Will Bynyum was waived

By waiving Bynum, the Celtics will stomach his $2.9 million contract. The team remains about $2 million under the luxury tax line ($76.8 million) with a total commitment of roughly $74.8 million entering the season.

In announcing Bynum’s release, the team also formally waived Erik Murphy (eating a $100,000 guarantee) and training camp invitees Tim Frazier, Rodney McGruder, Christian Watford and guard/forward Jarell Eddie. Some of those invitees are expected to land as affiliated players with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

ESPN Boston:  Celtics roster finalized

The Celtics had been trying to work out a trade for Bynum, but as many people astutely observed on Twitter, there was no reason for anyone to trade for Bynum when he was just going to be a free agent anyway.  He’s not good enough to be snapped up on waivers for $2.9 million, so there was never any reason for anyone to pay that much for him, even though some injury depleted teams will most certainly give him a look (Indiana or the Lakers, I’m guessing).

So with the roster set, the only minor surprise is that Dwight Powell survived.  Powell, who came over   He’ll almost certainly be assigned to the D-League so the team can get a closer look at him.  The second round pick came over in the mid-summer trade with the Cavaliers, and the Celtics seem to like his potential and versatility.  By the way, this technically is Powell’s third team already before he’s played an actual NBA minute.  He was drafted by Charlotte and then traded to Cleveland before coming to Boston.

With the roster at the 15 player maximum and the team so close to the tax line, this is probably how the roster will stay unless Danny Ainge pulls off a trade.

Related links:  CSNNE:  Celtics waive Bynum, five others, to finalize roster  |  WEEI:  Celtics keep Powell, trim roster to 15  |  MassLive: Bynum waived as C’s finalize opening night roster

And Finally…

Sullinger spent his rookie season as Garnett’s understudy, pleasing the veteran with basketball wisdom beyond his years and an obvious willingness to improve. Two years later, Sullinger shakes his head at the 38-year-old Garnett concluding his second decade (whoa) of NBA action.

“That’s a dinosaur compared to what I’m going through,” the 22-year-old Sullinger said. He meant no disrespect. “It’s a long process. That’s a hell of an accomplishment. And hopefully many more to come.”

MassLive

What would a KG dinosaur look like?

The rest of the links:

Herald:  Ainge says patience key to Celtics rebuild  |  CSNNE:  Smart on mend after sickness  |  Celtics season preview: fill in the blank  |  Globe:  Celtics open season with tough stretch  |  ESPN Boston: Putting the “D” in exceed  |  Celtics 27th in power rankings  |  Smart returns to practice  |  WEEI:  Asset management: Gerald Wallace’s Celtics future  | MassLive: Stevens not impressed by top-ranked preseason defense |  NESN:  Celtics to honor Isaiah Austin as “hero among us”