Celtics' Ainge isn't in a hurry to replace Rondo - Encouraging News At Bottom

By Mark Murphy / Boston Herald

Danny Ainge is going to be hit with all kinds of trade scenarios between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline thanks to Rajon Rondo's season-ending, torn anterior cruiciate ligament injury in his right knee.

But for now the Celtics president of basketball operations wants to see whether his current group can function as it did without the point guard during yesterday's double-overtime win over Miami.

A big part of the reason for this, naturally, is that the free agent field is limited, and after Rondo's injury the trade market is murkier than ever.

"We weren't going to trade Rondo," Ainge said flatly. "But I'm not going to bring someone in now who is just going to sit on the bench. We could sign a couple of players to minimum contracts, but that's all we can do right now. We have to see whether someone becomes available through trade or free agency who can actually crack our rotation.

"Right now I'm looking to give the guys we have a chance to play," he said. "Then we'll see what happens in the next few weeks."

Ainge is clearly of the opinion that what is available on the free agent market won't improve his backcourt of Avery Bradley, Courtney Lee, Leandro Barbosa and Jason Terry. The first three are expected to replace Rondo as a point guard by committee, with Paul Pierce taking on a lot of the playmaking responsibility.

This would also seem to rule out a move to immediately sign former Celtics guard Delonte West, who is currently playing for the Texas Legends of the NBA's D League. West's value as a defender and shooter who can fill in at point guard is well-known. The same can be said, though, for his well-dodumented emotional problems, which led the Dallas Mavericks to waive him just before the start of the season.

Though the recovery from reconstructive knee surgery can vary, depending on the player, Ainge said he expects Rondo to be ready for the start of training camp next season.

Ainge said Rondo should undergo surgery in the next "10 to 14 days."

HOPE IT IS NOT HYPE OR BS!

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That would be remarkable if Rondo is back for training camp. I know some ACL tears are more serious than others (and I'm assuming Derrick Rose had one of the worst) but we're talking 8 months from now - 7 1/2 if you're talking from when Rondo has his surgery.

Hope it happens. Would be amazing.

What the Celtics are not saying is how bad of a tear. Is it partial or complete tear?

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Well Adrian Peterson was back I think in 9 months playing. I guess each individual is different and each injury is different so who really knows. If he could make the same type recovery as Peterson that would be great. Maybe this will push Danny to finally get a backup point guard in here instead of taking a chance RR doesn't get hurt every year. I would like to see us get a young PG that has a pretty good shot, and wants to play defense.

Please remember that Rondo played after he was hurt. He walked for two days and then he went through shootaround before going for his MRI. Also he is known for playing with extreme pain (elbow) has shown he can recover quickly before, so why not this time. He will be back because he will work hard to make it so.