Rajon Rondo has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors over the past several months, but the Boston Celtics are remaining firm on their stance on keeping the All-Star point guard.
Most NBA executives are convinced that Rondo would be traded before he hits free agency in the summer of 2015, but Boston Globe reported that the Celtics are not planning to make moves soon.
Sources said that the Celtics are looking to clear cap space before training camp, but moving Rondo is not on top of their priorities despite the fact that the 28-year-old point guard intends to test free agency next summer, which means that Boston could lose him without getting anything in return.
"While the Celtics are trying to figure out ways to clear roster space before training camp, moving Rondo is not a high priority. First off, Rondo will be a free agent next summer and fully intends on taking the LeBron James-Carmelo Anthony tour of teams and extending the negotiation process deep into next summer," Gary Washburn of Boston Globe reported.
Washburn also added that while there are teams who are very interested in acquiring the playmaker, most of them are being discouraged by Rondo's reluctance to sign a contract extension before he becomes a free agent after the 2014-15 NBA season.
The Sacramento Kings were recently mentioned as a possible destination, but sources revealed that Rondo made it no secret that he won't sign a new deal if traded to the Kings.
The Celtics, who are currently in a rebuilding mode, also wants to see how Rondo will perform next season more than a year after undergoing a surgery to repair a torn ACL.
"It is highly unlikely Rondo would sign an extension this season with an interested team, especially the Sacramento Kings," Washburn wrote. "Second, the Celtics don't feel pressed to deal Rondo because they are still trying to determine if he's part of the future and they are intrigued to see him in action a full 18 months following ACL surgery."
Boston picked former Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart in the 2014 NBA Draft, which created speculations that the Celtics are already planning their future without Rondo, who averaged 11.7 points to go along with 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 30 games last season.
