With the 2014 season just around the corner, Rajon Rondo is preparing to start the year in a Boston Celtics' uniform. What happens after that is anyone's guess. The point guard is approaching unrestricted free agency this upcoming summer and has remained quiet about his intentions with the freedom. Unlike Kevin Love who spoke out and then was traded, Rondo is keeping his lips sealed which give the Celtics hope for the long-term.
According to ESPN, Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck is very hopeful that the team can keep Rondo around the long-term and make him a career franchise player. While some have questioned Rondo's ability to lead and attract other players with his "stubbornness" Grousbeck confirms that the point guard is very much a part of the team's future despite reports of a mid-season trade looming.
"It's my goal to keep Rondo here," Grousbeck said, via ESPN.com. "I think we all want that. And I actually honestly think -- he should speak for himself -- I think Rajon wants to stay, or would be very happy to stay. And we'll see how this season goes, and how the negotiations go, but he's proud to be a Celtic. I know that. He's proud to wear that [2008 title] ring and he deserved it."
Team president Danny Ainge confirms the owner's remarks. He has been stressing patience with Celtics' fans ever since the dismantling of the roster last summer when Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce all departed. He is expecting things to turn around and quickly. Boston is certainly built for the future after loading up on draft picks and young, tradable assets over the past two years. The team missed out on getting Kevin Love and likely have no chance at signing him in free agency, but Ainge is convinced that Rondo is in Boston for the long haul.
"Very credible people have made things up, and that even makes it worse," Ainge said. "So yes, I think there's probably a lot of people out there that have some sort of belief that there is some truth in the rumors that go on out there. But I can't say more emphatically, my hope is that we can have a long-term relationship [with Rondo]. Players like Rondo are hard to find. Here we are trying to make big deals, and it's hard to make big deals -- it's hard to get free agents -- without players with some cache. And Rondo is our best player, simply."
Jeff Green is convinced that Rondo is around for the future as well even if he might not be. The Celtics have toyed with trades involving everyone from Rondo, Green to Jared Sullinger. Right now, nothing should be ruled out for the future. Also, the storyline could develop further if rookie point guard Marcus Smart turns out to be a star in the making.
