General manager Danny Ainge is promising Boston Celtics fans that the team is not blowing up. After trading away their head coach and two future Hall of Fame players, the Celtics are going to be looking drastically different in 2013. There could still be more changes to be made as free agency is officially in full swing. Ainge is claiming that one change not happening is the trading of point guard Rajon Rondo.
Rondo was assumed to be the next player out in Boston. Considering the team will be in a rebuilding phase for the next few years, the Celtics might as well trade away Rondo and get a few young players in return, completely building from scratch. Ainge said that is far from happening as he intends on keeping hold of Rondo.
"I always listen to calls and listen to what ideas are, but we have no intentions of moving Rajon," Ainge said.
So Rondo is not moving, but the Celtics are listening to calls? Ainge intends on keeping Rondo as the center piece to build around, but if a better offer comes along, do not put it past him to give up the All-Star for young talent. Rondo's name has been circling around trade rumors ever since Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were sent packing to Brooklyn for future draft picks. Rondo is one of the best point guards in the league and the Celtics could get a great return on him.
While Ainge is hoping to build around Rondo, he is keeping his eye on a few players that could pair nicely with him. The team's first target is Josh Smith from the Hawks. Boston has been working a sign-and-trade deal for Smith. He will only be able to get a four-year contract if it happens. Another option is Greg Oden. The tempting yet risky signing of Oden could either be a bust or productive. The Celtics are one of eight teams interested in the big man who has reportedly recovered from multiple knee surgeries.
No matter what happens, Ainge is promising fans that the team is not tanking. Ainge told the Boston Herald that tanking is not an option and the Boston Celtics stand for more than that. While the team may not be at the bottom of the NBA, they are certainly setting themselves up for a few years as a mid-level team.
