A Sherrod Blakely had
this to say:
Multiple league sources have repeatedly said that Rondo wants to start the season in Boston and see where things go from there. A similar sentiment has trickled out of Celtics camp, as well.
Rondo is hopeful that the team Danny Ainge is assembling around him is better than most anticipate, that they can be this season's feel-good story not only in the East but throughout the NBA.
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Multiple league and team sources agree the most likely scenario has Rondo beginning the season in Boston. Then, depending on how the team does, both sides will mutually agree to either ride it out or part ways sooner rather than later.
However you may feel about Blakely's reporting, this seems to be the sense around the league and also fits common sense. I feel comfortable in my speculation that Rondo's order of preferences is:
1. Play for a playoff team in Boston
2. Play for a playoff team elsewhere
3. Play for a non-playoff team in Boston
4. Play for a non-playoff team elsewhere
A lot of analysis involves determining the probability of preference #1. The people who want to trade Rondo the most are probably the people who think there is no chance of the Celtics making the playoffs. The people who want to trade Rondo the least are probably the people who think the Celtics have a shot.