Celtics News

How much is Rondo worth?

Not good news on the Celtics front today just hours before tip-off of the 09/10 season.

The meeting between Rajon Rondo's agent, Bill Duffy, and the C's did not go as well as the team had hoped. The team had reportedly offered 5 years/$45 million, but the rising PG feels that he is worth the max contract under the NBA salary cap. Rondo wants top 5 point guard money, but the Celtics are not prepared to offer that to Rondo after just one highlight season. Rondo's camp will reportedly break off contract negotiations and will let the October 31st deadline pass. If the two sides don't reach an agreement prior to the deadline, RR will become a restricted free agent after this season, which means that Rondo will be free to sign with any other team after the season is complete but the Celtics maintain the right to match that offer within a seven-day window.

There's little doubt that Rondo deserves an extension and a notable raise, but how does a team with so many superstars quantify that extension with its other players? If they give Rondo the max extension, then where does it leave superstar Ray Allen, who has said he wants to retire with the team? An impending free agent at season's end, the Celtics face the tough task of assigning value to Allen because although he is integral to their success, he is not getting any younger and one has to wonder how many more years he plans to continue playing. Paul Pierce also has an opt-out clause, which if exercised, leaves the Celtics in a precarious position of having to resign Pierce, Allen, and Rondo, not to mention the financial commitment outstanding to Kevin Garnett.

Another complicating factor for the Celtics front office is the impending free agent class of 2010 that includes names like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen. It is a star-studded class and may leave many teams with financial restrictions and commitments in the dust. The league's luxury tax threshold will also be decreased next year, meaning that the luxury tax will be enforced at an even lower number than it has previously, further complicating the thought process for the C's front office.

Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis likely will be suspended by the team, owner Wyc Grousbeck confirmed. "I've had enough of 'Big Baby,' so I'm going to start calling him Glen," Grousbeck told the Globe. "It certainly seems like there's going to be a suspension here." He sounds frustrated, and rightfully so. Shelden Williams will be the primary beneficiary of this injury, and Brian Scalabrine (who is out with an ankle injury) could find some minutes. Davis has hurt the team with his most recent injury, and the Celtics have a team-first mentality.

The season tips off tonight at 7:30 with the C's taking on LeBron & Shaq in Cleveland.

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