"Rondo's not being traded," Ainge told CSNNE.com before Monday's game against the Clippers. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. Rondo's not being traded."
Ainge also said that a reported conversation regarding a potential Rondo-for-Pau Gasol swap with the Lakers never happened.
Rondo has been the subject of trade rumors throughout this entire season, as there's been speculation that Ainge could turn his focus toward the future and elect to move Rondo for some valuable building blocks. The Celtics GM apparently isn't ready to make any such move, though, and he's actually impressed with how the sixth-year floor general has dealt with all of this season's adversity.
"Rondo, from the beginning of this year, has shown a lot of maturity in dealing with all this, back to the Chris Paul rumors and stuff," Ainge told CSNNE.com. "Rondo and I have had open dialogue and conversation. He knows where he stands with our organization and how important he is."
Rondo is a three-time All-Star who has become Boston's best player, so you're right, Danny. He is pretty important.
