From the moment his torn ACL was confirmed, Rajon Rondo seemed to believe that he would be back on the court for the Celtics’ season opener. Speculation was even tossed around that the All-Star point guard could be ready to go for training camp.
Rondo’s swift return does not look so likely anymore. Although Rondo was working out Tuesday, his readiness is up in the air, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told Bill Simmons in the B.S. Report podcast.
“I’m not sure [when Rondo will be back],” Ainge told Simmons, via ESPN. “Rondo was working out [Tuesday] with all the guys. He’s not near 100 percent yet, but he’s out doing shooting drills and ball-handling drills. I really don’t have a date yet.
“We want to be careful with him, obviously. He’s hungry and anxious. I like the communication that’s going on between him and Brad [Stevens]. I think Rondo is looking forward to this stage of his career and, obviously, he has to get healthy, but I think he really likes the challenge that’s ahead of him.”
A prolonged absence for Rondo would not be the worst thing for the Celtics. The more games he misses, the worse the Celtics are likely to be, which increases their chances of getting the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft to pick super-prospect Andrew Wiggins.
