NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics Wise to Save Franchise Player Rajon Rondo

It's hard to hear all the rumors hitting the Boston Celtics through the creaking and cracking of old legs, but one thing is nearly certain, and that is Rajon Rondo is going nowhere. 

The latest news from the land of the Boston Celtics is that Rajon Rondo will survive past the trade deadline. If the franchise is lucky, it will be far longer than that. 

CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely reports the latest trade rumors surrounding one of the most storied franchises in sports. He cites president of basketball operations Danny Ainge who issues the following:

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Rondo's not being traded. I don't know how many times I have to say it. Rondo's not being traded.

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At the risk of sounding like a smart ass, I have to ask whether Rondo is being traded. In all seriousness, we hear one thing from Ainge and then see quite another in fish wraps all over the nation. 

Mike Bresnahan of The LA Times reported on March 11th that the Lakers and Celtics had indeed been talking about a possible Rondo trade. 

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The teams talked last week about a trade for Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, though nothing was close to accomplished and discussions dried up.

The Lakers are unwilling to trade Pau Gasol for Rondo, making a deal with Boston unlikely before the trade deadline Thursday.

"

The Celtics continue towards the realm of over the hill rather than king of it. There is no question that a rebuilding effort needs to be in the near future, but it will be a far smoother transition with Rondo a part of it. 

He is clearly the best player on this aging team and exudes the will to win that you want in a superstar and franchise player. 

The Celtics have stumbled in trades before—sending Kendrick Perkins off comes to mind—but they are doing the right thing here by locking up Rondo as the face of the team and the leader they will build around. 

At least, that is what should be taking place behind the scenes. 

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