Rajon Rondo Wants To Retire As A Celtic; Will He Sign A Max Extension If Boston Offers?

Rajon Rondo is the biggest name on the trade market. However, Boston has made him their captain and the face of the franchise. Apparently, the feeling is mutual.

The All-Star point guard spoke to Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe before their home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he told him what most Celtic fans want to hear.

"I like to stick to the script. I don't like change much. I wouldn't mind staying here the rest of my career.

"Things don't always seem to go that way, but like I said before, it's just a business. I wouldn't mind extending another 10 years in Boston."

"I'm making star money now, really. It's a pretty good living. I'll let my agent handle those terms."

Other observers are not that optimistic. From Basketball Insiders: "Boston may not have interest in giving Rondo "star money," as Ainge called Rondo's expected salary, since they'll likely still be rebuilding when he's able to enter free agency and get a payday."

Nothing is final until they have actually signed the extensions.

Danny Ainge has done his part, when he spoke to Boston radio station 98.5 (transcribed by ESPN):
"We did talk to Rondo about extending him. But that's all part of the negotiation that will happen again this summer and most likely the summer after.

In the collective bargaining agreement, there are limits on what can and can't be done. Really, it's not that Rondo doesn't want to accept an extension, as much as it's just not financially smart for him to accept it right now. We didn't think he would [sign], but we did try.

I think that Rondo will demand quite a bit in the open market. The competition for Rondo in free agency will be very high."

A lot of that still depends on how Rondo performs after his return. If he returns to his All-Star form, Rondo can call the shots as the offers will come. If not, he should take whatever Boston is offering-max extension or not.