Rondo signing an extension this off-season?

[Celtics18]

It seems that a majority of fans are convinced that Rondo signing an extension this summer is out of the question, and that it's more or less a given that he'll wait it out until free agency the following summer.

So, I wanted to start a poll to see if that's really how a majority of folks are feeling.

Polls are fun!!

[Eddie20]

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

[D.o.s.]

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

That was a gamble contract, though -- if Curry had had another 2012 everyone would look at that as a dangerous deal.

[Eddie20]

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

That was a gamble contract, though -- if Curry had had another 2012 everyone would look at that as a dangerous deal.

Giving Rondo 15m per for 3 years is more dangerous. I'm much rather trade him for a pick (Ennis or Smart for example), along with assets, have that player develop and use the savings during free agency in the summer of 15 or 16.

[D.o.s.]

I'm just pointing out that Steph Curry only took the 11 million deal because of concerns with his ankle, so the whole "Rondo shouldn't get this if they're paying Steph Curry that" logic is a little hazy.

[Celtics18]

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

That was a gamble contract, though -- if Curry had had another 2012 everyone would look at that as a dangerous deal.

Giving Rondo 15m per for 3 years is more dangerous. I'm much rather trade him for a pick (Ennis or Smart for example), along with assets, have that player develop and use the savings during free agency in the summer of 15 or 16.

That's a surprising response.  I expected people to say that they didn't think there was any way that Rondo would accept that contract when he stands to make considerably more the following off-season.

I didn't expect the response to be that he's not worth it.  If that's the case, then he should definitely accept the deal coming up this summer once Danny offers it to him. 

[PhoSita]

It makes very little sense for Rondo to do this.

Rondo's value can't be terribly high right now.  If he signed an extension at this point, it's likely he'd be signing at below market value. 

Also, there's the matter of Rondo's age and where the Celtics are at right now.  Barring a Garnett + Allen style flurry of moves, the Celtics are at least a couple years away from having the pieces to be truly competitive.  Rondo will likely be in his 30s before the Celtics are ready to make a run in the playoffs.

I think for Rondo it makes sense to wait things out.  He can come back (hopefully) fully healthy next season.  He can try and have the best (statistical) season of his career.  He'll have leverage to pressure the Celtics to either make moves to put some talented, experienced pieces around him, or else trade him to a team with whom he is interested in signing long term.


There are only two reasons that come to mind for Rondo to sign an extension this summer, and neither seem characteristic of him:

One - he's worried that he might get injured again or that his value will only diminish moving forward. 

Two - he really wants to stay in Boston regardless of the situation and he wants to give the team a home-town discount.



For the Celtics, it would make a lot of sense to trade Rondo this summer if he won't agree to a contract extension.  I don't think it would be a good idea to head into next season with the cloud of Rondo's impending free agency hanging over the team for months on end.


I also think a factor for the Celtics has to be the cost of keeping Rondo, even if he is willing to re-sign.  Rondo is probably worth between 12 and 15 million to the right team.  I don't think he's worth that to the Celtics, who don't have any elite scorers on the roster, and probably won't get one in the draft in June. 

It's also possible that Rondo will want to get the kind of money that Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Russell Westbrook are getting, whereas in my opinion fair value for him is closer to what Stephen Curry and Ty Lawson are making (I agree with Dos that Curry is WAY underpaid).  The team should under no circumstances give Rondo a deal that will give him over $15 million per year.

[manl_lui]

so how much is Rondo worth? 12-13 mil per?

[saltlover]

I'm just pointing out that Steph Curry only took the 11 million deal because of concerns with his ankle, so the whole "Rondo shouldn't get this if they're paying Steph Curry that" logic is a little hazy.

Additionally, Curry's deal was coming off his rookie contract, when he had significantly less leverage.  It's really a similar deal to what Rondo signed after his rookie deal -- $55 mil over 5 years, so the same amount per year.  I don't expect Curry will sign for that when he hits free agency in a couple of years.

I don't think Rondo signs an extension unless the Celtics have a little spare salary cap room, so that they can increase his 2014-2015 salary and then increase the raises based off it.  With the higher salary cap, that's possible.

[Eddie20]

I'm just pointing out that Steph Curry only took the 11 million deal because of concerns with his ankle, so the whole "Rondo shouldn't get this if they're paying Steph Curry that" logic is a little hazy.

I know, but at the same time Rondo is coming off knee surgery and lacked explosiveness when he returned. So giving him 15m is even more risky. Perhaps he regains his explosiveness completely or maybe this year's Rondo, who is nearing 30, is here to stay. That's what makes the contract even more dangerous.

[CoachBo]

$15 is absolutely at the upper end of what I'd have any interest in paying him, and that's assuming that the Rondophiles who worship his every move are right and he regains everything he's lost. This year's Rondo isn't worth his current contract.

He's not a max guy. Not even close. Very dangerous contract for the Celtics' future, as Eddie accurately points out above.

[saltlover]

$15 is absolutely at the upper end of what I'd have any interest in paying him. He's not a max guy. Not even close.

By the time Rondo hits free agency, a max deal for him could be around $19 million.  An increase in the salary cap means salaries are going to rise, and Rondo's going to get a piece of that.

[RJ87]

I've said from the beginning I think extension talks heat up this summer. People seem to have it in their minds that Rondo will go to FA and demand max money, but I never thought that was written in stone. Look at Lebron, Wade, and Bosh- they left money on the table for a chance to win. Paul Pierce opted out of a $21m payday and resigned for far less (although, the looming CBA/lockout could've played a part in that). Rondo signed an 8 year sneaker deal with Anta that's going to pay him very, very good money, I can definitely see a scenario where he signs for less than expected.

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

That was a gamble contract, though -- if Curry had had another 2012 everyone would look at that as a dangerous deal.

Giving Rondo 15m per for 3 years is more dangerous. I'm much rather trade him for a pick (Ennis or Smart for example), along with assets, have that player develop and use the savings during free agency in the summer of 15 or 16.

What free agent is signing here in 15 or 16 to play with a bunch of draft picks? Whether you like it or not, Rondo is probably the best attraction we have for FA's. Even if we get lucky in the draft with a top 3 pick, we'd have a far better chance of getting someone (like a Marc Gasol) with Rondo and that pick.

And Steph Curry is making $11m per because of his ankle history and the numerous surgeries. If he had managed to stay healthy prior to his extension, he would've signed a max rookie extension - probably the 5 year designated player extension at that.

[CoachBo]

$15 is absolutely at the upper end of what I'd have any interest in paying him. He's not a max guy. Not even close.

By the time Rondo hits free agency, a max deal for him could be around $19 million.  An increase in the salary cap means salaries are going to rise, and Rondo's going to get a piece of that.

Two words for $19 million - not interested. As far as I'm concerned, he can sign for sensible money - $13 to $15 - this summer early, or Ainge should consider the failure to do same a mandate to move him.

[Eddie20]

I've said from the beginning I think extension talks heat up this summer. People seem to have it in their minds that Rondo will go to FA and demand max money, but I never thought that was written in stone. Look at Lebron, Wade, and Bosh- they left money on the table for a chance to win. Paul Pierce opted out of a $21m payday and resigned for far less (although, the looming CBA/lockout could've played a part in that). Rondo signed an 8 year sneaker deal with Anta that's going to pay him very, very good money, I can definitely see a scenario where he signs for less than expected.

I'll pass for that type of money. I won't give Rondo 15M, when Curry is getting paid 11M per year.

That was a gamble contract, though -- if Curry had had another 2012 everyone would look at that as a dangerous deal.

Giving Rondo 15m per for 3 years is more dangerous. I'm much rather trade him for a pick (Ennis or Smart for example), along with assets, have that player develop and use the savings during free agency in the summer of 15 or 16.

What free agent is signing here in 15 or 16 to play with a bunch of draft picks? Whether you like it or not, Rondo is probably the best attraction we have for FA's. Even if we get lucky in the draft with a top 3 pick, we'd have a far better chance of getting someone (like a Marc Gasol) with Rondo and that pick.

None if the thinking is that our team won't improve from here to then. However, our young players will continue to improve, we are adding 2 1st rd picks this year, and a probable lottery pick next year. Plus, this doesn't include the assets we get for Rondo. For example, getting McLemore and the rights to Smart from Sacramento. Moreover, not giving Rondo near max money, and having plenty of players under their rookie scale contracts, gives us the ability to sign two max players.

So having a team of Sullinger, Olynyk, McLemore, Smart, top 5 pick this year, #17 this year, top 8 pick next year (reasonable assumption) and playing in a big city for a marquee franchise for max money could be a desirable destination for two free agents signing.