Celts, Rajon Rondo discuss extension - Will Be Paid 'Star Money'

by **112288** Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:52 pm

ESPNBOSTON.COM

By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said the team has talked with point guard Rajon Rondo about a contract extension, but the restrictive nature of the collective bargaining agreement makes it more likely that talks will escalate after this season.

The Celtics expect Rajon Rondo "will demand quite a bit in the open market," president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. "The competition for Rondo in free agency will be very high."
"We did talk to Rondo about extending him," Ainge said Thursday during his weekly appearance on Boston sports radio 98.5 the SportsHub. "But that's all part of the negotiation that will happen again this summer and most likely the summer after."

Later Ainge added, "In the collective bargaining agreement, there are limits on what can and can't be done. Really, it's not that Rondo doesn't want to accept an extension, as much as it's just not financially smart for him to accept it right now. We didn't think he would [sign], but we did try."

Pressed on the potential parameters of an extension, Ainge backed off, noting as he often has that he preferred not to discuss negotiations through the media and admitting, "I think we've said enough."

"I think that Rondo will demand quite a bit in the open market," Ainge said. "The competition for Rondo in free agency will be very high."

Next season will be Rondo's last from his five-year, $55 million extension that he signed in October of 2009. The new CBA limits the length and value of a possible extension at the moment, though the two sides could re-explore that option this summer. However, Rondo's most lucrative offer would come after the 2014-15 season, when he'd hit the open market.

Last week, Rondo returned from a near one-year absence after tearing his ACL. He appeared in three games before sitting out Wednesday's win in Washington as a precaution as he eases his way back.
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Danny Ainge: Celtics Offered Rajon Rondo Extension, Will Be Paid 'Star Money'

BLEACHER REPORT

By Adam Fromal , National NBA Featured Columnist

The Boston Celtics are ensuring that Rajon Rondo's fate is known in the near future.

Even though the dynamic point guard has only been back from his torn ACL for a few games, the green-clad franchise has reportedly offered him an extension that will pay him "star money," per the Toucher and Rich Show's Twitter feed:

What exactly does "star money" mean?

Your guess is as good as mine, but it feels safe to assume that it involves a max contract or something very close to one. After all, Rondo is one of the NBA's uber-elite point guards when healthy, even if he hasn't played like it since returning to the lineup.

Before sitting out of the Jan. 22 overtime contest with the Washington Wizards for precautionary reasons, Rondo had suited up for three games and was averaging 5.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per outing.

The jump shooting certainly hasn't been there, but the aggression and instincts definitely have. His numbers will rise as he gains confidence, reacquaints himself with NBA basketball and increases his comfort level alongside his lackluster teammates.

Even though the C's are jumping the gun and refusing to wait and see whether or not he regains his pre-injury level of performance—and he will, as Rondo is one of those players who can impact a game without moving—this is a solid decision by general manager Danny Ainge, simply because it jump-starts the rebuilding process.

If Rondo decides to sign his "star money" extension, Boston will know that it has the luxury of building around an All-Star floor general throughout the foreseeable future. If he decides to reject the deal, then the team can safely put him back on the trading block, where he's seemed to spend so much of the season.

As B/R's Stephen Babb writes, though, "A lot could change between now and the trade deadline, but that change shouldn't and won't involve Rondo."

Right now, it's hard to disagree with Babb's statement. The Celtics are playing surprisingly strong basketball, and the development of Jared Sullinger in particular has given them a little bit more hope for the inevitable rebuild.

But if Rondo doesn't sign the extension, everything changes. Ainge is just figuring out whether he has to prepare for that a little bit sooner than expected.

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