Celtics’ roster could get new look
Rajon Rondo expects the Boston Celtics to make another run at an NBA title next season, provided there is a season. What he doesn’t know is who will join him, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in helping make that run.
“We got five people under contract, right? But I think we got five good people under contract, through,” Rondo told Yahoo! Sports. “We’ll form a team again. I think we’ll be fine as a team and we’ll be fine in the future. That’s the plan.”
The Celtics actually have six players under contract, but Rondo’s point remains true: With as many as nine roster spots open, Boston officials have a lot of work to do whenever the lockout ends.
In addition to Rondo, Pierce, Allen, Garnett, forward Jermaine O’Neal(notes) and untested guard Avery Bradley(notes) are the only players signed now. Forwards Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Jeff Green are the Celtics’ two biggest free agents
The Celtics will likely make an effort to keep Green after acquiring him along with Krstic from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kendrick Perkins(notes) and Nate Robinson at last season’s trade deadline. Davis, who averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds last season, could potentially be a significant loss for the Celtics if he signs with another team.
“I’d like to play with Baby,” Rondo said. “But Baby is going to do what’s best for Baby.”
If Davis departs, Rondo, Pierce, Garnett and Allen would be the only Celtics left from the 2008 championship team. Boston already lost a significant piece of that team after trading Perkins last season.
The Celtics took a lot of heat for the Perkins deal which affected their chemistry and changed their starting lineup in the middle of the season. Boston had a 41-14 record at the time of the trade, but finished 15-12 the rest of the way. Green averaged 9.8 points through the 26 games.
Rondo refused to use injuries as an excuse for losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Miami Heat. But he also believes the trade of Perkins, his closest friend on the team, affected the Celtics “more than it should have.”
“It wasn’t like the man passed away or something,” Rondo said. “I think we put too much emphasis on it. It’s a business. He got traded. He’s very happy where he’s at. We still talk and I’m always going to have his back. It shouldn’t have affected us the way it affected us.”
