"Rondo doesn't think he'll sign new deal"

[Kwhit10]

This was ESPNs headline in their rumor section.

This was their title coming off of this text.

Rajon Rondo was not happy with Danny Ainge a few months ago when Ainge publicly criticized Rondo and said he was not a "max contract player".

Asked by The Boston Globe Wednesday if he was optimistic about upcoming contract negotiations, Rondo replied, "Not really. I'm just playing it out, trying to get better every day."

A league source tells the newspaper that the Celtics plan to hold talks with Rondo before the start of training camp.

That title just seems like blatant rumor mill assumption.  From reading "Not really. I'm just playing it out, trying to get better every day."
  I wouldn't assume that he means he doesn't want to sign a new deal with the Celtics.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Not worried about this at all. He might simply have some plans to play the market, nevertheless he's a restricted free-agent.

[Kwhit10]

I don't have any problems with what he said either;  I just don't care for how ESPN made that headline out of that one quote from Rondo.

[Fafnir]

Pretty standard stuff, the Celtics likely want to see if they can get a deal done. At the very least they'll sound out Rondo's agent for what sort of contract he expects.

I'd like for him to be extended, but I can easily see both sides being to far apart to get it done.

[Chris]

This was ESPNs headline in their rumor section.

This was their title coming off of this text.

Rajon Rondo was not happy with Danny Ainge a few months ago when Ainge publicly criticized Rondo and said he was not a "max contract player".

Asked by The Boston Globe Wednesday if he was optimistic about upcoming contract negotiations, Rondo replied, "Not really. I'm just playing it out, trying to get better every day."

A league source tells the newspaper that the Celtics plan to hold talks with Rondo before the start of training camp.

That title just seems like blatant rumor mill assumption.  From reading "Not really. I'm just playing it out, trying to get better every day."
  I wouldn't assume that he means he doesn't want to sign a new deal with the Celtics.

Well it sounds like you are twisting the headline from "Rondo doesn't think he'll sign new deal" to "Rondo doesn't want to sign a new deal."

I actually think the headline is accurate based on Rondo's comment, but I don't think anyone is saying the Rondo does not WANT to sign a new deal, nor do I think that is true.

Personally, I think there is very little chance for Rondo to sign a new deal, and I don't think it makes a ton of sense for either side for this to happen this year.

For Rondo it doesn't make sense, because if he signs now, it will be for significantly less money than it would be next summer, providing he continues his development.  Generally, the only players who sign contracts at this point in their rookie deal are ones who are signing for the max, or players who are coming off great years, but are already near the top of their potential.  Rondo would be in neither of these categories.

For the C's, the benefit of course would be they MAY be able to save some cash if they sign Rondo right now (although Rondo has to agree to it, and as I said, I don't see that happening).  Realistically though, to get Rondo to sign, they would have to go awfully close to the max, and that only save them a few million a year.  However, if they wait a year, they can have more piece of mind to see how much further Rondo has developed, and to be able to make a more educated decision on what he is worth, and pay him more on his actual production rather than "potential".  Worst case scenario is that Rondo gets a max offer sheet next summer, and they need to choose whether to match it or not.  If he proves he is worth that kind of money, then it will absolutely be worth the extra couple of million per year that they will have to pay him, to feel more confident he is worth that kind of contract.

The other benefit to the C's is that they retain their flexibility with Rondo.  If something were to happen this year, and they decided they needed to blow it up, or that Rondo is not worth what he is going to get paid next summer, he still has a very tradable contract for the remainder of this season, and then could be sign and traded next summer.  If they sign him now, it makes it incredibly tough to trade him this season (poison pill), and next year he will also be a BYC player.  So while I don't think this is a likely scenario, it is a benefit to the club to keep this option open in case the right opportunity presents itself (and say, injuries submarine this season).

[pengaloo]

I gotta say that I am worried.

I think Rondo's isn't one to twist words (I remember early when KG was injured, Rondo was the only Celtic who voiced the seriousness of KG's injury). If Rondo doesn't think he'll sign a new deal.. there's a good chance he's not going to sign a new deal, so we'll end up paying him more at the end.

[screwedupmaniac]

I'm not concerned...unless he explodes on the court this year and becomes the "Big 1", there are many other names out there who have established themselves as superstars who will be viewed as more deserving of max contracts. If he wants to hunt for a max contract, I say let him. He won't find one, and we will get him for less money than if we were to just offer him a max contract. Let's not forget that he is only a restricted FA this year, and that basically all offers can and will be matched by us.

[BballTim]

For Rondo it doesn't make sense, because if he signs now, it will be for significantly less money than it would be next summer, providing he continues his development.  Generally, the only players who sign contracts at this point in their rookie deal are ones who are signing for the max, or players who are coming off great years, but are already near the top of their potential.  Rondo would be in neither of these categories.

  I don't think this is the case. I'm pretty sure that many of the higly paid but not max pgs (Harris, Parker, Nash) signed decent-money extensions at the point in their careers that Rondo's at now.

[guava_wrench]

I gotta say that I am worried.

I think Rondo's isn't one to twist words (I remember early when KG was injured, Rondo was the only Celtic who voiced the seriousness of KG's injury). If Rondo doesn't think he'll sign a new deal.. there's a good chance he's not going to sign a new deal, so we'll end up paying him more at the end.

Rondo is a pessimist. He is generally very negative.

[pengaloo]

I gotta say that I am worried.

I think Rondo's isn't one to twist words (I remember early when KG was injured, Rondo was the only Celtic who voiced the seriousness of KG's injury). If Rondo doesn't think he'll sign a new deal.. there's a good chance he's not going to sign a new deal, so we'll end up paying him more at the end.

Rondo is a pessimist. He is generally very negative.

Rondo thinking he can be the best pg in the NBA is an example of that pessimism 

[xmuscularghandix]

I read it as "I'm not thinking about it right now, i'm just trying to focus on basketball"

[Atzar]

I read it as "I'm not thinking about it right now, i'm just trying to focus on basketball"

This is what I got out of it when I saw the quote originally, as well.  I think this is getting a bit blown out of proportion.

[wdleehi]

I think he and his agent believe he can build on that playoff performance this season and then cash in.

[Bankshot]

I think he'll sign a new deal with the Celtics.

[Chris]

I think he'll sign a new deal with the Celtics.

This year?  How much do you think he will sign for?