Rajon Rondo is hopeful he can be a Celtic long after the Big Three are gone.
General manager Danny Ainge said yesterday that the $2.09 million team option on Rondo for the 2009-10 season will be exercised before this season.
Rondo and his agent, Bill Duffy, said they are happy about the decision and they are hoping to ink a long-term deal next summer.
"He's made great progress,"
said Ainge. "He's a strong point guard on a championship team. He's come a long way. He has sort of a love for the game of basketball."
"It makes me feel good, they still want me,"
said the 22-year-old Rondo, who averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 steals in 29.9 minutes per game last season. "It feels good to know that someone still wants you."
Rondo will be eligible for a lucrative long-term deal next summer that would begin with the 2010-11 season. Signing him next summer as opposed to when he is a restricted free agent during the hot 2010 market will have salary cap implications for Boston. Duffy plans to push hard for a long-term deal; Ainge does not comment on free agent issues.
"I love playing with my teammates here,"
Rondo said. "I love the organization. It's a great organization and great to be a part of the Celtic tradition, the history. I definitely don't want to leave anything on the table."
"We have the Big Three here and I want to milk them as much as possible. I want to be around when they're here and when they're gone."
Said Duffy, "We think he is one of the centerpieces of the organization. I'm sure they want him there. [A long-term deal] would be [Rondo's] preference. He's interested in remaining a part of that nucleus that is trying to win championships."
The only Celtics who will have guaranteed contracts entering the summer of 2010 are Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Kendrick Perkins, for $44 million in total salary. Boston also will have options on rookies J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, and guard Gabe Pruitt would be a restricted free agent.
If the Celtics are well under the cap in 2010, it would allow them to be players in a free agent market that could include Ray Allen, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Redd.
"We understand what our commitments are,"
said Ainge about 2010. "But we are not looking at that now; we are trying to win [this season]."
Perkins returns
Perkins tried to work out the rust in his first exhibition action during the Celtics' 90-86 victory over Cleveland last night at the Petersen Events Center. Perkins, who had left shoulder surgery in the offseason, took no field goal attempts and missed two free throw attempts. He had 5 rebounds, 4 fouls, and 2 turnovers in 21 minutes.
"I just got a little winded,"
he said. "But I'm good. I'm just trying to get my rhythm back on the court."
Forward Leon Powe scored a game-high 17 points for Boston (3-1) and blocked a potential tying shot with 4.2 seconds left by Vernon Hamilton. Allen had 15 points in 23 minutes while Pierce added 14 points in 20 minutes. James played 17 minutes and had 12 points.
"I saw Hamilton when he came off the spin [dribble],"
said Powe. "So I went over there and blocked it."
Takin' a break
Coach Doc Rivers canceled practice in New York today. The team plays at New Jersey tomorrow night . . . Guard Sam Cassell, who has a guaranteed contract, sat out last night and has played in only one exhibition. When asked if Cassell could be an assistant coach and not a player when the season starts, Rivers said, "I don't know yet. We'll see." The Celtics have 16 players on their roster and must cut one before the season begins. The only player with a non-guaranteed deal is forward Darius Miles . . . Walker, who had right knee surgery during the offseason, was given the night off because of soreness. "I just wanted to make sure it doesn't get out of hand," Walker said. Rivers said he also has been keeping a close watch on Miles, who sat out the previous two seasons because of knee issues.
