The Boston Celtics are in a similar position to the New York Knicks. They have a star player that they must hold on to in order to be able to attract other star players in free agency. Rajon Rondo is considered one of the best point guards in the league and has the talent to bring in other big names to play in Boston. However, if he goes, everyone goes. As Kevin Love decides his future, Rondo's status with the Celtics will play a large role.
Love took a little visit to Boston last weekend and met up with the point guard. Rondo denies it was a recruiting trip and he simply told Love to enjoy his time in the city. Meanwhile, he followed that up by saying Love would instantly make the Celtics an elite team, something that sounded like a recruiting pitch to all that listened. However, Rondo's status with the Celtics is unclear ever since he hinted at testing the free agent market come 2015.
According to ESPN.com's Jackie MacMullan, if Rondo is not going to have his contract extended with the Boston Celtics, then Love has no interest in heading to the east coast. Love is looking to play for a title contender. Without Rondo, the Celtics will not be there in the new few years no matter who they get in a trade for the point guard.
Danny Ainge continues to play coy with the future of Rondo. One minute the president of operations is saying that everyone is available for the right price and the next minute he is saying how Rondo is the future of the Celtics franchise for many years to come. A Love-Rondo combination would keep the Celtics in the Eastern Conference title hunt for plenty of years.
The Celtics could try and sign both players come 2015, or they could make a trade now for the forward. However, MacMullan continues her report saying that Boston might not have the assets that interest the Timberwolves. The Celtics could offer the sixth or 17th overall pick which is not that impressive and then they have run of the mill players like Jared Sullinger and Jeff Green that are not worth the return price for Love. Considering teams like the Phoenix Suns can offer up Eric Bledsoe while the Bulls can give Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, the Celtics will find themselves being out matched for a deal.
The issue is that Love has already made his intentions with the Minnesota Timberwolves known. He intends to fully test the free agent market, giving no indication that a return to Minnesota is in the cards. This means his future is out of his hands. Love might want to go play with Rondo, but if the Charlotte Bobcats come in with a better trade offer, Love will be sent packing whether he likes it or not.
