Rajon Rondo is being mentioned in numerous NBA trade rumors again, but Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck reiterated that they intend to the keep the superstar guard.
Rondo will become an unrestricted free agent next summer after turning down a contract extension, which put the Celtics in a situation where they could lose the All-Star point guard without getting anything in return.
When asked if they are planning to trade Rondo instead of running risk of losing him for nothing next summer, Grousbeck said that he will do anything possible to keep their star playmaker. Grousbeck confidently said that Rondo also intends to stay in Boston where he won a title in 2008.
"It's my goal to keep Rondo here," Grousbeck said via ESPN. "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."
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge also sounded disappointed when asked again about their plans to keep Rondo, saying that they have no intention to trade him and he is hoping that media should stop asking the same question again.
"Are you seriously asking me that again? Yes, we expect Rajon to be in Boston for the long term," Ainge said. "Does that need to be asked any more by anybody ever again?"
Rondo averaged 11.7 points to go along with 9.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds last season, but he only played in 30 games as the Celtics remained cautious because the 28-year-old is coming off a surgery to repair a torn ACL.
While most analysts are unsure how Rondo's knee will hold up next season, Ainge is confident that the former Kentucky standout will have the best year of his career in the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season.
"I expect the best year of his career," Ainge said of Rondo. "He's worked really hard this summer and I think Rondo's going to have the best year of his life. That's what I expect."
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