The Celtics have agreed in principle to a 5-year extension to keep Rajon Rondo with the club through the 2014/2015 season. Terms have not yet been finalized but it is widely believed that the deal will be worth an estimated $55 million.
Prior to Rondo's extension, the two longest contractual obligations the Celtics held were Garnett and Sheed, who are each signed through the next two seasons (2011/2012). Boston could ill-afford to lose an integral piece of their championship caliber team, as the 23-year old Rondo has progressed every year he has been in the league. Rondo has really established himself as one of the elite point guards over the last year and a half and it would have been extremely difficult to replace his caliber of play had he left via free agency. Fortunately, this is not an idea Celtics fans have to entertain. By locking up Rondo just before the deadline to extend players from the 2006 draft class passed (it was extended through the weekend via mandate by Commissioner David Stern), the Celtics avoided a major headache this offseason.
One major issue to look for in the future is how this will affect the team's chances of re-singing impending free agent Ray Allen. With atleast $50 million locked up between Garnett, Pierce, and Rondo next season, it is quite possible the C's may have a new 'Big Three.'
Nice Analysis!DA
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