Rajon Rondo could become a free agent after the 2014-15 NBA season, creating speculation that the Boston Celtics will eventually trade their point guard away instead of losing him for nothing next summer.
Rondo, who averaged 11.7 points to go along with 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, have been mentioned in trade rumors over the past several months.
Recent rumors suggested that Rondo has informed the Celtics that he wants a change of scenery, but the All-Star point guard's agent, Bill Duffy, denied making such trade request.
In an interview with CSN New England, Celtics president Rich Gotham also denied that Rondo asked for a trade last month, saying that the team has a good working relationship with the 28-year-old point guard.
"It's more of an issue for the media than it is for us," Gotham said. "We have a good sense of reality in relation to Rajon and all of our players. We don't get caught up in the rumor mill or any of that stuff."
Gotham also reiterated that they are focused on helping Rondo regain his old form to make him more ready for the upcoming season. The former Kentucky standout only played in 30 games last season after missing the first part of the season while recovering from an ACL injury.
"What we focus on with Rajon is getting him ready to play," Gotham said. "What we want to see is the Rajon rondo from 2011, 2012, back in his best form. That's what gets us excited. When we talk to Rondo, that's what we talk about. We're not talking about trades."
Celtics assistant coach Walter McCarty also revealed that he can't see any sign that Rondo is not happy in Boston anymore after the superstar guard trained together with their young players this summer.
While the team is looking to rebuild in the next seasons to come, McCarty insisted that the team will keep Rondo as they are planning to build the squad around the eight-year veteran.
"The more we can have him around, learning our system, learning what we're trying to accomplish, it's great. It all starts with him and he's one of the smartest players on our team and in this league," McCarty said of Rondo. "The way he soaks up information, it's only going to make our team better."
