rondo to opt for free agency?

[radiohead]

according to yahoo:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-rondoceltics102609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

hopefully we still get to lock him up next year for a reasonable amount.

[jackson_34]

In the end I sorta expected this result. It doesn't bother me that much as I think the frenzy trying to sign the class of '03 will end up going against Rondo and any attempt at securing a max contract (unless he has a breakout year). It will probably work in the C's favour.

[rav123]

Hmm.... I wonder if we get any hints on the kind of money involved.

LaMarcus Aldridge got $65mil for 5 years - Rondo would have a point that he deserves to be paid as much as Aldridge. The Yahoo! article says he wanted to be paid like a top 5 PG. Well, Arenas is on $14.6 Mil and Tony Parker is on $11.5 Mil. If Rondo thinks he's worth more than those 2, he doesn't deserve the money. But if we were giving him less than $10 million, he has a right to be offended.

I would have given him 10-$11 Mill, or the $13 Mil Aldridge got at the most. No more. Now we just have to hope no-one else will want to give him that much either come the summer... 

[CoachBo]

Disagree entirely that you can measure a big guy's contract in Aldridge against Rondo's. Apples and oranges comparison.

I support fully the Celtics' offer of 45 for 5. I might go to 50, but not a dime more at this point for a guy whose performances are uneven, at best.

Now, if Rondo plays this season and displays improved shooting, foul shooting and more consistent effort and defense, 5 for 65 is a legitimate price.

But he's got to earn it, and he hasn't earned those numbers yet.

[Birdbrain]

This could end up working out for Rondo if he plays well enough for someone to offer him a max contract.  At this point in time he's not a max player and it seems as if Danny's telling him to prove it and will match whatever he gets.

Either way I don't consider it too big of a deal and in fact might be the best situation for all concerned.

[CoachBo]

Neither do I. That's exactly the message Ainge is sending, IMHO: Prove you deserve the money. I have no doubt that if Rondo does upgrade his game, he'll get paid by the Celtics.

Given his resume, though, I certainly don't blame the Celtics for opting not to overpay for potential.

[scootman]

we cant loose rondo hes way to important for this team no one else could run the offense the way he does. it would be a huge mistake by the front office letting him go. danieles is good but hes not rondo. who else is there that could even try to accomplish what rondo does for the team.

[Greenback]

It's time to trade Rondo, Baby, and Tony Allen. If the C's win the title, he will want too much money. If they don't, if looks like he will walk. BBD and TA seem to be too high maintenance. 
This would open up r roster spots for
Sweetney, a steady PG and someone TBD.  The Cavs continue working to get better.  Please take notice of their interest in Antonio Daniels, who by the way, would be a good economic replacement for Rondo. 

[Birdbrain]

I'm sorry but, I don't consider Antonio Daniels much of a concern.  The Cavs have their own problems with DWest to deal with.

[crownsy]

It's time to trade Rondo, Baby, and Tony Allen. If the C's win the title, he will want too much money. If they don't, if looks like he will walk. BBD and TA seem to be too high maintenance. 
This would open up r roster spots for
Sweetney, a steady PG and someone TBD.  The Cavs continue working to get better.  Please take notice of their interest in Antonio Daniels, who by the way, would be a good economic replacement for Rondo. 

The words Defense and antonio daniels have never been on the same continent. He would be a disaster to our team defense.

Non-issue, we can match anything he gets, and from that article it sounds like the team and rajon are cool.

Coachbo is exactly right, this is the right move from both sides, no need to rush, and rondo has every incentive to prove his game has evolved this year and get payed next season.

[LB3533]

we cant loose rondo hes way to important for this team no one else could run the offense the way he does. it would be a huge mistake by the front office letting him go. danieles is good but hes not rondo. who else is there that could even try to accomplish what rondo does for the team.

I don't even think Rondo "runs" our offense.

Rondo's key contributions to the offense is his lobs to KG, that's about it.

Primarily, we are a post or high post initiating offense. (KG or PP on the box or at the elbow or top of the key)

On fast breaks, sure Rondo finds Ray for 3, but almost any competent PG can do that.

[Rondo2287]

we cant loose rondo hes way to important for this team no one else could run the offense the way he does. it would be a huge mistake by the front office letting him go. danieles is good but hes not rondo. who else is there that could even try to accomplish what rondo does for the team.

I don't even think Rondo "runs" our offense.

Rondo's key contributions to the offense is his lobs to KG, that's about it.

Primarily, we are a post or high post initiating offense. (KG or PP on the box or at the elbow or top of the key)

On fast breaks, sure Rondo finds Ray for 3, but almost any competent PG can do that.

I disagree, the offense always looks incredibly stagnant to me when Rondo isnt in the game. 

[Tai]

It's time to trade Rondo, Baby, and Tony Allen. If the C's win the title, he will want too much money. If they don't, if looks like he will walk. BBD and TA seem to be too high maintenance. 
This would open up r roster spots for
Sweetney, a steady PG and someone TBD.  The Cavs continue working to get better.  Please take notice of their interest in Antonio Daniels, who by the way, would be a good economic replacement for Rondo. 

I won't sit here and pretend Rondo possibly leaving for money is not an issue, but it sounds like you're framing your argument a little too much with the bolded statement.

How do you know Rondo will want more money if the C's win the title? When I say you framed your argument, I assume you're saying that if we win the title, it's because of Rondo. I'd have no doubt in my mind he'd be a significant part, but the way you're talking, he'll be the Finals MVP. If that really happens, then in my mind, he can only hope to do that by improving his jump shooting, possibly his FT percentage, and of course by being more consistent. If Rondo does all that, the Celtics probably pay him max contract money anyways. Otherwise, I'm not sure who else will give him a max contract.

[Greenback]

Rondo will never be an MVP of any type but he thinks he is and that's the problem.  It is true he can once in a while connect on an alley oop pass but as someone said, that's about it.  He can drive but he misses more bunnies than Elmer Fudd.  His little cute moves of swinging the ball behind his back and letting the ball roll down the court do not add anything to his game.  Also, he is the worst FT shooting PG in the league.

[crownsy]

Rondo will never be an MVP of any type but he thinks he is and that's the problem.  It is true he can once in a while connect on an alley oop pass but as someone said, that's about it.  He can drive but he misses more bunnies than Elmer Fudd.  His little cute moves of swinging the ball behind his back and letting the ball roll down the court do not add anything to his game.  Also, he is the worst FT shooting PG in the league.

your right, lets cut him now. clearly he's a liability. 

I know the PR machine is already turning on to limit the damage if he leaves, but man, no need to drink the koolaid before the season even starts.

If he plays well, and earns a huge deal, the celtics will match. If he doesn't and that huge deal comes along they won't.

simple as that.