Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 10:30 am  |  49 responses

Rajon Rondo Opts for Free Agency

Boston and its point guard could not agree on an extension, and according to his rep, Rajon is going to be a restricted free agent next summer: “We’re not going to do an extension right now,’ Bill Duffy said. ‘The conversation has been cordial. We’ve been talking the last couple of weeks. There is a difference between the perception of him in their eyes and our eyes. With that being said, the focus is on Rajon to have a fantastic season and concentrate on winning a championship.’ Duffy, who also counts Steve Nash(notes) among his clients, said he is seeking a contract that would pay Rondo like one of the NBA’s top five point guards. The Celtics, Duffy said, ‘feel differently.”’

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  • Harlem_World

    They don’t see him as a top 5 PG over the next 5 years? Wow…rebuilding without him could be REAL ugly once KG and them retire…

  • Jacqueline Mitchell

    Damn, First Glen Davis now Rajon and their first game is against the Cavaliers tonight. Good Luck Celtics.

  • Rog123

    Maybe its because he is ARGUABLY not top 5. Parker, cp3, dwill, cbills, nash-kidd-rose

  • http://slamonline.com/ niQ

    Let me just say if they let him leave, they will regret it.

  • Harlem_World

    Nash and Kidd can’t be considered top 5 over the next 3-5 years. Chauncey is going to slow down after next season too. Top 5 over the next 3-5: CP3, Derron, Parker, Rose and most likely Rondooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • Harlem_World

    oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • Jay

    there are def 5 guys running point better than rajon. i’d say top 10. deron, chris p, tony p, jameer, and chauncy are guys i’d take before him.

  • tavoris

    not really suprised by this. Let the market dictate his value. I don’t think anybody’s gonna overpay for him in the Summer of Lebron anyway.

  • Richard

    What is the deal with the Celtics not respecting Rondo? There must really be some locker room/practice stuff going on between him and management. He has just been money after coming into the league with plenty of questions. Being a starter on a championship team and then a triple double machine not enough? I can understand not wanting to pay him like CP3 or D-Will but I really hope they can work all this out before he leaves them and goes “Billups” on the C’s for another team.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    The situation in Boston is really weird. It seems like Ainge and Rivers don’t value Rondo at all. Taking shots at him through the media, actively shopping him, saying that the GMs who voted for him on the defensive teams don’t know what they’re talking about, that he was the reason they lost to Orlando because he couldn’t keep them honest with the J, that he’S a negative leader, etc. It’s adding up. Apparently, the big 3 is not feeling him either. But those guys will be done soon, he could be their future for the next 15 years. Is he THAT MUCH of a headcase?

  • Captain Jean Luc-Picard

    Rondo is not top 5. And where would he be without the Big 3? He is not even on par with the top 3 2009 draftees.

  • Vince5

    He’s not top 5, but the Celts still going to miss him.

  • Rog123

    I never knew the C’s blamed rondo for losing, or that they called him a neg leader. WOW. After all that, why would he even wanna stay after this year?

  • la huey

    we’re not getting the whole story here…and rondo is definitely getting paid this summer. trickle down economics courtesy of wade and lbj.

  • NUPE

    He’s not top 5 but I’d put him in the top 10 pgs over the next 3-5. His decision making is a question as well as how he benefits from his current supporting cast. A lot of teams will have money next year because they are trying to land Bron, Wade, Bosh, Dirk et. al. I think most of these big namees will stay where they are and teams will go to “plan b” and try to get two to three players with the same money, if Rondo has continues from where he left off last season, he’ll be able to get some of this ‘plan b’ money. I hope he doesn’t try to ‘overplay’ to prove he’s worth it.

  • dbri

    non-issue. he’s restricted, no way they let him walk. would be insane. whether he’s top 5 or top 10, they can’t get better on the open market. I have to believe that this is some stupid, insane negotiation ploy by Ainge. I have to beleive that because otherwise, they’re just plain stupid.

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Mark it down where ever rondo plays he will be putting up ridiculous numbers. He’s like lebron for pg’s.

  • http://slamonline.com/ niQ

    Bryan, you could have simply said a young Jason Kidd. But then again, Rondo doesn’t shoot 3s.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    He will be traded first before they let him go for nothing. It sounds as though Rondo will have a monster season so he can get P-A-I-D.

  • http://realcavsfans.com Anton

    Inevitably, the Cavs are rumored to be going for him.

  • Ben

    The Celtics just got Rondo’d

  • tavoris

    he’s gonna be a restricted free agent. The Celtics are simply maintaining their flexibility. It makes no sense to extend him now, with the future of the team in doubt after this season. It actually may work out for the better if Allen decides to go to another team.

  • NUPE

    Rondo with the Cavs? I don’t see it. I think Mo fits better with the system so Rondo won’t make their first team better. He would be great coming off the bench but a) Rondo wouldn’t go for that – he wants to start and b) he would be too expensive. Among the contenders, LA is most in need of a pg. Fish is not as capable as past years and Farmar isn’t living up to his potential. I could see Rondo fitting in there with Fish coming off the bench. In turn Lakes give up Farmar (I think he’s a free agent next year), and a draft pick and/or money. That would make the Lakers scary good with no weak position. However, Celts wouldn’t help the lakers load up like that.

  • dpak

    if he leaves it’ll be another tough ten years for celtic fans.

  • LA Huey

    NUPE, stfu, that’s too scary for me to fathom. =P

  • bruno

    I hate the celtics but the key for them this year and the years to come is Rondooooooo

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    YES! Knicks, go and get this guy NOW. Donnie, do the right thing. No, don’t let D’Antoni tell you to sign Goran Dragic. We want Rondo!

  • thalilbigkahuna

    I’ll be interested to see where he goes if the Celtics don’t keep him.

  • data187

    @nupe – rondo would be a horrible fit for the lakers. the triangle offense needs guys that can shoot. rondo unfortunately can’t shoot to save his life.

  • Tommy Patron

    Rondo with Kobe?! Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Rondo will probably want to go to a place where he can lead and prove himself without having 3 All-Stars on his team for his whole career. Knicks, Rondo.

  • TedB

    Since Ray Allen will be gone after this year that will free up some money next summer and they will probably resign Rondo then.

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Moose

    CRAP. He’s gone….

  • Jumpman-post

    if i were the celts i would sign Ray Ray rather then rondo

  • Keith

    I don’t doubt Rondo’s talent – dude is a trip-dub waiting to happen, but the fact the Celtics aren’t willing to sign him up to an extension makes me think dude has some ‘character issues’. Not sure what they are but I’m not convinced Rondo is as nice a package as he could be.

  • Jspin

    Nobody thinks Devin Harris should be mentioned in that top five PG conversation? i’d take him over rondo.

  • gomez

    top 5 point guards in the next 3-5 years
    -Chris Paul
    -Tony Parker
    -Derrick Rose
    -Deron Williams
    -Rajon Rondo
    If boston lets him go, it’ll be another hard 10 years for the franchise!

  • Shem

    Honestly, Rajon Rondo is not that good.. he has no jump shot, he gets a lot of assists well look at his team but i cant say anything about his defense. Rajon plays good D. Its a good decision because the Celtics are too old Rajon should sign with a young team like Portland, Phili, Houston. By the way yes Portland BRoy and Rajon in the back court would be nice

  • http://www.sixers.com 360vue

    personally rondo is not worth a top 5 pg contract, nor he is going to be a top 5 pg, even five years. We all know CP3 and DWill are gonna have that position on lockdown for a while, but Parker will stay be around, Rose will probably be an All-star within five season, and I suspect Harris will complete the top 5. Thats not to say Rajon can’t manage it, but its definitely far more unlikely than it is likely. Also, for now and the next season, Billups, Nash and maybe even Kidd will offer more. Still, if Cs let him go they are almost certainly going to regret it. They’re already going to need to have replaced numerous key players in the within half a decade and letting go of a serious prospect is a step backwards.

  • tavoris

    that’s just agent-speak. He’s tryin to get the best deal for his client. Reality will show that the C’s will match ANY offer that Rondo gets next summer.

  • tavoris

    but for everyone doubting Rondo’s value-his weakness is jump shots, but he’s probably the best two-way point guard in the league right now. Other than Westbrook, there isn’t any other young guard that can be as disruptive all-court. And if you watch him play, he’s not a bad shooter…he’s actually closer to mediocre. The problem is he just refuses to shoot J’s.

  • BostonBaller

    Rondo is only good b/c of the big 3? Does that mean Magic was great b/c of Cap & Worthy? OK, let’s keep it Green..I assume Tiny was a decent guard b/c of his supporting cast also, forget his KC days.lol No one has officially come out and said all of those things Z mentioned but most will believe them. “The power of the internet, wow”

  • Shem

    I agree with tavoris on him being disruptive for the entire court BUT rondo is not worth what he thinks hes worth. Lets see, if you put rondo on the bulls instead of rose do the bulls even win 20 games? No because Rondo isnt that great. I will make him a top 10 pg probably around 8 right now but most of rondos stats are because he is on the celtics. If he can go to another team that payed him more money and average what he is now if not more id for sure be wrong but i just cant see him doing it. Once again his D is amazing

  • Derek S.

    Rondo can get to the hoop and drive n dish. What you guys think he is worth a year I would say a Lamar Odom contract. Around 8.5 a million is fair. I know other teams that would be willing to give him a 11. Be a contender on the Celtics and give up 2.5 a million a year or go to a crappy team….He is not a leader but he can play some defense. But his defense is different than what the Celtics want from him. He plays too aggressively.Rivers wants him to play team ball. and not leave his man for those dangerous steals which can lead to easy hoops.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Jack L

    Rondo is definitely top 5 defensive PG. Top 2 probably. However, offensively 1 on 1 he’s insufficient from outside, although strong inside as a drive and finish or dish type. Haven’t seen him post up much, but that’s not common unless you’re a 6-9 PG or Gary Payton back in the day. I think BDavis does it sometimes? But his shot selection is wack (saw parts of the lakers/clips game). What’s it take for him to learn how to shoot? at least get good at FTs!

  • Cahyo

    oh no he’ll go to Knicks, D’antoni would quickly sign him as he tought Rajon Rondo is European name

  • BostonBaller

    @Derek I agree that if he were on the bulls they wouldn’t have been as good as they as they were last year but Rondo does facilitate well (he gets our big 3 the ball well enough) Now look at the flip side, does Rose make the big 3 better? Maybe, but HIS numbers wouldn’t have been as high as they were b/c he would have had to differ to them or get his own and “disrupt” the team. (Is his jumper much better than Rondo’s?)
    There are always 2 sides. I think if Rondo was such a pain and cancer to the team or the leaders, coaches or GM disliked him so much we would have heard a lot about it from the mainstream media. (this is the internet age so nothing gets by)No player is worth what they think they are..

  • NUPE

    Rondo is simply not a proven playmaker yet. He had a great series last year and now he wants top 5 money. Let him play at a consistent high level over a season and then we’ll see the real Rondo. My guess that’s why the two sides can’t come to an agreement. Rondo thinks that series and a few moments of greatness should set the stage for all future expectations. The Celts are saying, yes we saw some great things, but not on top 5 level. IF Rondo proves to be great, the Celts will kick themselves by not signing him now because it would be cheaper. If Rondo plays as inconsistent as last year with some great games but others when he doesn’t show up, the Celts will say, “see I told you so – take this second tier money and shut up.” I think the Celts are clearly doing the right thing here by making Rondo prove he can sustain a high level of play over an entire season. And if he does, they’ll be glad to pay him.

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