Rajon Rondo Trade Rumors: Celtics Playing Dangerous Game with Star PG

Where there is smoke there is fire, and whether or not the Boston Celtics are legitimately shopping Rajon Rondo, means little the way things are playing out.

As Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe puts it, the Celtics were reportedly fed up with Rondo's shtick:

"

Apparently, his attitude, moodiness, mercurial ways, and arrogance had become enough. And yesterday, the Celtics brass once again had to reaffirm its commitment to Rondo and hope that he doesn’t allow the rumors to affect his play or his psyche.

"

That reaffirmation was quoted by Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald as GM Danny Ainge said:

"

“I anticipate him being here for a long time,” the Celtics president said when asked about Rondo’s immediate future.

"

Will that be enough to keep the "mercurial" Rondo stable? Why do the Celtics want to trade their best player anyway? Is Danny Ainge losing his mind again?

None of these questions have answers right now, but they will all be answered in due time.

Boston has two expiring contracts, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, but they're better suited to let them come off the books and use the money in free agency this summer.

That leaves Paul Pierce, who is essentially immovable for sentimental and financial reasons, and Rondo as the Celtics' only trade chips.

Teams would jump for a chance at Allen, but the Celtics won't give it. Instead, Ainge's desire to make a deal rests with Rondo and Rondo alone. 

They can say what they want, but these rumors will continue to swirl until the deadline passes. That can't come soon enough for the Celtics and Rajon Rondo.