Rondo To Join Free Agent Class Of 2010

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Rumors, SDC COMMENTARY

Despite the league-mandated Saturday deadline to negotiate extensions, it looks like Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo will join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and possibly others and become a restricted free agent, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports and verified by Rondo’s agent, Bill Duffy.

According to Duffy:

“We’re not going to do an extension right now. The conversation has been cordial. We’ve been talking the last couple of weeks. There is a difference between the perception of him in their eyes and our eyes. With that being said, the focus is on Rajon to have a fantastic season and concentrate on winning a championship.”

As in the majority of cases, both sides feel differently about the player’s worth; in Rondo’s case, he is currently making $2.1 million this season in the final year of his contract. What is interesting is whether the Celtics will offer him a contract that is on a par of players who were drafted at the same time that he was (Portland’s Brandon Roy – 5 years, $80 million and LaMarcus Aldridge – 5 years, $65 million).

Should Rondo become a restricted free agent, Boston would have seven days to match any offer sent his way. While Rondo is certainly no James or Wade, he would probably be the best point guard who will be available in 2010. As much as I’d like to see Rondo remain in Boston, finances will make that very diffcult. Especially knowing that their top two players (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce) are scheduled to earn a combined $40.3 million in 2010. And that doesn’t even include what may or may not happen to Ray Allen as he will become a free agent in 2010.

Suffice it to say, I expect the Boston Celtics roster for 2010 to be markedly different than the current one in place; perhaps Ainge and the bean counters in Boston can do some creative accounting and make something happen, but just from the numbers alone, it is difficult to fathom three high-priced players on one team, much less two.

However, with the number of owners who are under the salary cap – with the New York Knicks probably the most cash-rich of the group – it’s tough to say whether Rondo can command what he – his agent, really – feels he is worth. But there is still that slimmest of time frames for Ainge and the suits in Celtics corporate to make something happen. And the clock is ticking.

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