Report: Rajon Rondo "intrigued" by Free Agency in 2015

[hpantazo]

Something changed recently. A few weeks ago, Rondo had said he would love to sign a 10 year contract and retire as a celtic. He also said he makes a very good salary, and lives a very nice life, so money was not a major concern. Then Ainge made some comments to the media regarding Rondo's contract, and now we get Rondo snipping back at Ainge's comments imo. I think Rondo has always wanted to stay, but something soured recently in his dealings with Ainge. Maybe Ainge is playing games with him and Rondo is not happy about it.

[winsomme]

Something changed recently. A few weeks ago, Rondo had said he would love to sign a 10 year contract and retire as a celtic. He also said he makes a very good salary, and lives a very nice life, so money was not a major concern. Then Ainge made some comments to the media regarding Rondo's contract, and now we get Rondo snipping back at Ainge's comments imo. I think Rondo has always wanted to stay, but something soured recently in his dealings with Ainge. Maybe Ainge is playing games with him and Rondo is not happy about it.

Nothing that either Rondo or Ainge said was all that revelatory. The fact that they are saying these things publicly is really the only concern.

Of course the Cs tried to sign up Rondo on a cheaper deal in the chance that he was worried about re-injuring his knee and of course Rondo would be intrigued by reaching FA where he could really see what other teams around the league think of him but saying these things to the press does not make me feel great about him ending up in Boston long term.

That said, a whole bunch of things are going to be happening before any Rondo leaving for nothing crisis would play out. Hopefully by then Danny has made this team look a bunch more attractive and Rondo has also returned to pre-injury form...

[rondohondo]

Something changed recently. A few weeks ago, Rondo had said he would love to sign a 10 year contract and retire as a celtic. He also said he makes a very good salary, and lives a very nice life, so money was not a major concern. Then Ainge made some comments to the media regarding Rondo's contract, and now we get Rondo snipping back at Ainge's comments imo. I think Rondo has always wanted to stay, but something soured recently in his dealings with Ainge. Maybe Ainge is playing games with him and Rondo is not happy about it.

Ainge offered rondo the max he could this year,which was a 2 yr contract extension I believe. Apparently the C's can off Rondo a 3 yr extension in july , starting out at 15 mil per year. I think Danny will have no problem offering Rondo hat as long as he can prove he iis getting back to the all-star rondo by this summer .

I think rondo will either be traded by draft day , or he will sign that 3 yr contract extension in july.

[mmmmm]

The full quote from Rondo on this, from the boston herald story was:

“It is (intriguing),” he said. “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve just thought about getting my leg as strong as possible next summer. It’s kind of like college recruiting, but a lot more money is spent. I’ve heard stories of guys getting calls right at midnight (on July 1 when contracts expire. It’s something I haven’t experienced and may want to go through, but I haven’t thought about it.”

When pressed with the fact that Rondo could make 'star money' as a free agent, Rondo replied, "I already make star money."

That doesn't sound like the language of someone who is anxious to leave.  But who knows?

On the other side of the table, although I'm sure he'll listen to offers, I don't think Danny will get any kind of offer that would make him want to move Rondo.   Ultimately, and this gets forgotten by a lot of fans, this is an entertainment business.  And more than any of the other pro sports, NBA teams depend on the faces of the players to draw fans.   And Rondo is, by far, the team's most important remaining ticket draw.

Even without having played a game after Jan 26 of 2013, Rondo still was ranked #13 in overall NBA jersey sales by the end of 2013.

Rondo is, by far, the most popular Celtic with young fans and has been for several years now.

Now, it is true that nothing cures ticket sales better than winning.   But there is a reasonable chance that the Celtics could take more than a year or two to resume being competitive.   If the C's continue to lose, they'll still need at least one or two 'faces' that the fans love to come watch until they are competitive again.   Rondo is one of those players that fans will come to watch.

This is not, of course, the only or even the most overriding concern that will be in Danny's mind when it comes to evaluating Rondo.   But it is an important one.

My prediction (which is worth as little as anyone's) is that when all is said and done, Rondo ends up resigning for a reasonable raise, but under max, with maximum years.

When Rondo signed his current deal, he went for 5 years at a reasonable rate when a lot of players would have taken a shorter deal, knowing that gets them to the lucrative 3rd contract sooner.   This implies that long-term stability is pretty valuable to Rondo.

If he signs another 5 year deal, that could put his Celtic tenure by the time it is done at 13 years.   That would be just one year under Paul Pierce' tenure in green. 

[paidthecost2betheboss]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

[hpantazo]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

[chambers]

How many players in their 20's ever got to play with similar team mates like KG, Pierce and Ray Allen in a situation like Rondo's?

  I'd guess a lot more than you think. But are you talking about 2008 big three or the fringe all-stars of the last few years?
 

Has there ever been an All Star point guard that's as poor a shooter as Rondo from the FT line and 3 point line?

  Possibly not. But a 4-time all-star he is. He made those all-star games because of his overall level of play, where he does many things well enough that he's still one of the top guards in the league in spite of his shooting. It's not like he made 1 team as a fluke selection.

  I think a better question is, how many point guards have there been that would have been regular all-stars if they shot (and hit free throws) like Rondo? How many point guards would be regular all-stars if they never scored more than 14 ppg?

  It's true that he's not a great shooter. It's also true that he's been one of the best point guards in the league for a while. It's useful to notice what he does poorly, it's equally useful to notice what he does well and how well he does those things.

I know what he does well. Just trying to provide perspective because sometimes I wonder if you notice the things he doesn't do well.
I also take into consideration that he's had the rare fortune of playing with All star caliber players up until the 2011 to 2012 seasons. He's obviously improved as ours original big 3 started to drastically decline. I'm not questioning his 'his play', because he made the most of the situation he was in. I just think it's obvious that without those excellent/elite shooters around him, and his lack of shooting ability - that people will question how much their absence will affect his ability to put up numbers, particularly on the assists side of the equation. (The strongest part of his game and the one above all other skills placing to All Star level talent).

[RJ87]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I think people are really over dissecting these comments. I can see Rondo's agent telling him to be more diplomatic with his answers regarding his future. Afterall, Ainge has been publicly saying that they're not shopping Rondo but they're willing to listen to offers. I think Rondo is taking a similar approach, "I'd like to stay in Boston, but I'm open to the possibility of free agency."

[indeedproceed]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I've got some inside sources that say this is what happened:

Danny: Rondo, here's a less financially lucrative extension than you could sign in a year. It'd be great if you signed it for us, because it would be paying you substantially less than you'd get in a year and absolutely less than you'd get in an open market.

Rondo: ....nah.

(End meeting)

(Later, at Chipotle)

Rondo's agent: Tell em you're playing the field. It'll drive the price up in a year. Also pretend you're above the whole thing, but also not above it at the same time.
Rondo: Yah alright.
Rondo's agent: Literally none of this means anything right now, it's just posturing. But posture right.
Rondo: Okay.

Admittedly, my inside sources are inside only in the literal sense, in that they're inside my own head , but they're very insistent that this is what's going on. They also say I should kill Ronald Regan for Jodi Foster or something...but I think they're only joking with that one.

[LilRip]

agreed, this is all posturing. I think if Rondo were to bolt, he'd be sending much clearer signals (like Lebron's Decision. You knew he wasn't going to stay in Cleveland, but you just didn't know where he would go).

I believe him 100% when he says he hasn't really thought about where to go when he becomes an UFA. Those kinds of thoughts are for the offseason. if anything, i think he'd be more concerned about being traded this upcoming deadline/draft day.

[RJ87]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I've got some inside sources that say this is what happened:

Danny: Rondo, here's a less financially lucrative extension than you could sign in a year. It'd be great if you signed it for us, because it would be paying you substantially less than you'd get in a year and absolutely less than you'd get in an open market.

Rondo: ....nah.

(End meeting)

(Later, at Chipotle)

Rondo's agent: Tell em you're playing the field. It'll drive the price up in a year. Also pretend you're above the whole thing, but also not above it at the same time.
Rondo: Yah alright.
Rondo's agent: Literally none of this means anything right now, it's just posturing. But posture right.
Rondo: Okay.

Admittedly, my inside sources are inside only in the literal sense, in that they're inside my own head , but they're very insistent that this is what's going on. They also say I should kill Ronald Regan for Jodi Foster or something...but I think they're only joking with that one.

Mmm, Chipotle.

[paidthecost2betheboss]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I think people are really over dissecting these comments. I can see Rondo's agent telling him to be more diplomatic with his answers regarding his future. Afterall, Ainge has been publicly saying that they're not shopping Rondo but they're willing to listen to offers. I think Rondo is taking a similar approach, "I'd like to stay in Boston, but I'm open to the possibility of free agency."

I did a timeline for the folks claiming the Doc departure was Wyc's idea of saving money which started with the day we got eliminated and 3 days later a very spectacular trade being roundly ridiculed. 2nd interviews. Meeting, unopened letters (if you believe that your crazy, it coulda said "we release you from all contractual obligations", it didn't he knew that so he had to play dumb beyond belief.) Wyc stated on camera it was 100% started and pushed through by Doc to the point where it had to be done. A time line makes that Circus easier to follow though it will make you ill

On Jan 23 Danny says something that surprises the interviewers and anyone who has followed Danny. That info was not needed for the 95% of folks who don't know the CBA rules and expected a negotiation in Summer anywayz.

We learned that Rondo rejected it as he should....who needs to know this?

Rondo gives a terse interview demanding their sources..."who told you that?"..Danny did.  Jan 24

Danny next rebuts the build around a superstar design and gives insight to his team building strategy. Rondo is mentioned but doors again are left open.

"I've heard stories, guys getting called right at midnight. It's something that I haven't experienced. I may want to go through it. I haven't thought about it at all." Jan 31

This started with Danny who i love flapping his lips way too much and this posturing by Rondo is a direct result. He had said almost nothing prior to Jan 23.

You should brace yourself for Rondo being gone because Danny has been massaging you since the 23rd and he will not let other GM's determine Rondo's value.

Rondo is gone.

[D.o.s.]

http://celticshub.com/2014/01/31/rajon-rondo-on-his-potential-free-agency-it-intrigues-me/

Upon being asked about the report, Rondo responded with a blunt “Already?” to the question about his contract, but saying he had no response to the report.
Things got more interesting from there in the Q-and-A.

Reporter: Is free agency something that intrigues you?

Rondo: “It is.”

Reporter: Something you’ve thought about?

Rondo: “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve just thought about getting my leg as strong as possible, continue to shake off the rust this year and come back even better next.”

What about free agency intrigues you?

“It’s kind of like, I would say, maybe college recruiting. I’m pretty sure a lot more goes into it in the NBA. A lot more money is spent. I’ve heard stories, guys getting called right at midnight. It’s something that I haven’t experienced. I may want to go through it. I haven’t thought about it at all.”

This probably needs to be on this page, too.

[indeedproceed]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I think people are really over dissecting these comments. I can see Rondo's agent telling him to be more diplomatic with his answers regarding his future. Afterall, Ainge has been publicly saying that they're not shopping Rondo but they're willing to listen to offers. I think Rondo is taking a similar approach, "I'd like to stay in Boston, but I'm open to the possibility of free agency."

I did a timeline for the folks claiming the Doc departure was Wyc's idea of saving money which started with the day we got eliminated and 3 days later a very spectacular trade being roundly ridiculed. 2nd interviews. Meeting, unopened letters (if you believe that your crazy, it coulda said "we release you from all contractual obligations", it didn't he knew that so he had to play dumb beyond belief.) Wyc stated on camera it was 100% started and pushed through by Doc to the point where it had to be done. A time line makes that Circus easier to follow though it will make you ill

On Jan 23 Danny says something that surprises the interviewers and anyone who has followed Danny. That info was not needed for the 95% of folks who don't know the CBA rules and expected a negotiation in Summer anywayz.

We learned that Rondo rejected it as he should....who needs to know this?

Rondo gives a terse interview demanding their sources..."who told you that?"..Danny did.  Jan 24

Danny next rebuts the build around a superstar design and gives insight to his team building strategy. Rondo is mentioned but doors again are left open.

"I've heard stories, guys getting called right at midnight. It's something that I haven't experienced. I may want to go through it. I haven't thought about it at all." Jan 31

This started with Danny who i love flapping his lips way too much and this posturing by Rondo is a direct result. He had said almost nothing prior to Jan 23.

You should brace yourself for Rondo being gone because Danny has been massaging you since the 23rd and he will not let other GM's determine Rondo's value.

Rondo is gone.

I mean, you may be right. We'll know in a year and a half. But I read the situation completely differently.

Danny states his support for retaining Rondo in no uncertain words, stating that extending Rondo is a priority, and that he's already offered an extension.

Rondo and his camp, knowing that this extension was a token offering, deflect it, and mentions of it.

Assuming all parties are actually playing politics here (100% true in Danny's case, he's a snake, but he's our snake and I wouldn't trade him for anyone...less probable in Rondo's case, a guy who is known for speaking his mind and never really caring what other people think), this serves a few purposes. For Danny, it counters the prevailing opinion that Rondo is available in a fire sale, hopefully driving up the asking price in potential trades, and it lets the fans know that Danny thinks highly of rondo, and let's Rondo know that fans know Danny thinks highly of Rondo. This serves a similar purpose to the 'midnight courtship' stories of FA rondo is referring to. For Rondo, he's letting Danny know that he's not coming cheap.

It is as you say, all posturing. There is a whole lotta time between now and Rondo actually even being offered a contract from another team. Sooooo much can happen in that time. Right now they're just digging their trenches.

[RJ87]

I did this topic when it really began publicly

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=69268.msg1610624#msg1610624

People see what they want to but I was surprised how few folks saw what seemed clear. Something very recently has changed and the discussing of a properly rejected offer made no sense. Zero. Than fan base is 90% unaware of the restrictions of the CBA and if Rondo and agent refused then they already knew. Why this went public was bizarre. Listen to the Radio Interview then watch Rondo's Interview asking "who" told them?

Then Danny explicitly talks about the way he hates the term superstar and how teams are built together and not around folks which is a lot of info for week 3 in January.

I'm surprised that anyone else is surprised.

this is exactly what I was saying, something changed recently in both Rondo's and Ainge's tone, something went wrong. There was no need for these public comments by both of them

I think people are really over dissecting these comments. I can see Rondo's agent telling him to be more diplomatic with his answers regarding his future. Afterall, Ainge has been publicly saying that they're not shopping Rondo but they're willing to listen to offers. I think Rondo is taking a similar approach, "I'd like to stay in Boston, but I'm open to the possibility of free agency."

I did a timeline for the folks claiming the Doc departure was Wyc's idea of saving money which started with the day we got eliminated and 3 days later a very spectacular trade being roundly ridiculed. 2nd interviews. Meeting, unopened letters (if you believe that your crazy, it coulda said "we release you from all contractual obligations", it didn't he knew that so he had to play dumb beyond belief.) Wyc stated on camera it was 100% started and pushed through by Doc to the point where it had to be done. A time line makes that Circus easier to follow though it will make you ill

On Jan 23 Danny says something that surprises the interviewers and anyone who has followed Danny. That info was not needed for the 95% of folks who don't know the CBA rules and expected a negotiation in Summer anywayz.

We learned that Rondo rejected it as he should....who needs to know this?

Rondo gives a terse interview demanding their sources..."who told you that?"..Danny did.  Jan 24

Danny next rebuts the build around a superstar design and gives insight to his team building strategy. Rondo is mentioned but doors again are left open.

"I've heard stories, guys getting called right at midnight. It's something that I haven't experienced. I may want to go through it. I haven't thought about it at all." Jan 31

This started with Danny who i love flapping his lips way too much and this posturing by Rondo is a direct result. He had said almost nothing prior to Jan 23.

You should brace yourself for Rondo being gone because Danny has been massaging you since the 23rd and he will not let other GM's determine Rondo's value.

Rondo is gone.

A few issues with this: Danny has always left thr door open for a Rondo trade. That's my point, Rondo is now leaving the door open for free agency.

As far as Danny's "strategy", I think you're making the mistake of a.) Believing Danny has a specific strategy in mind; I think he has multiple scenarios in play - some that include Rondo and some that don't. b.) Thinking Danny would tip his hand so publicly and so soon. c.) That Danny is being entirely honest. I mean afterall, he has gone on record saying he's not in love with this draft but we're very clearly tanking for as high a pick as possible.

Rondo isn't gone. Rondo isn't locked in. This situation is fluid. Fans should be prepared for anything and surprised by nothing.