Rajon Rondo: Why He Loves the Offseason Moves the Boston Celtics Have Made

The Boston Celtics may not have been front and center in the biggest-name free-agent deals or trades this offseason. 

The team has undergone some major changes, though. 

Ray Allen's departure to the Miami Heat may have ended the era of the original "Big Three," but it also may usher in the beginning of another one.

That would be Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. 

That's the new Big Three in Boston. Given the age of the three players, it is not too much of a stretch to suggest that the best player of the three, when the 2012-2013 season starts, will be Rajon Rondo. 

Rondo is coming off a spectacular postseason.

It didn't start out well, though, when he was suspended one game for bumping a referee. From the time he returned to the squad, however, he was—along with Kevin Garnett—the best player in green and white on the floor.

With Boston's roster in flux, who will the best player for the Celtics of the team's new additions? 

Rondo's going to like them—a lot. 

But the first thing that Rondo will like is the familiar faces that are returning to the team. 

Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass and Chris Wilcox have already re-signed new deals, and Jeff Green has a contract that appears to be on the verge of being finalized as well. 

Rondo will be pleased to have Garnett back; that's a given.

Re-adding Wilcox was essential, too, as the Celtics were the worst rebounding team in the NBA last season. Wilcox won't be on the receiving end of too many Rondo assists, but he will grab rebounds and provide a physical presence in the paint. 

Brandon Bass, on the other hand, is a player who will make Rondo look good.

Bass might not be the most versatile player in the league, but he can score, and at times he can do so in bunches. There probably isn't a better point guard in the entire league to be paired with for a streaky scorer such as Bass.

Rondo will appreciate the games in which he can continually feed Bass the ball for points. Bass will, of course, be thrilled to be on the receiving end of Rondo's consistent passing. 

The Boston Celtics still have not finalized the contract of former lottery pick Jeff Green. It does seem inevitable, though.

In Green Rondo and the Celtics will finally get a chance to see if the player whom they originally made a lottery pick in 2007, traded and then brought back via the Kendrick Perkins trade in 2011 is who they thought he was. 

Green has size, skills and ability. At 6'9" he has the potential to be a very good all-around player. To this point it's mostly been just potential, but you can be sure Rondo is looking forward to having Green on board. 

Then there are the new additions—most notably, Jason Terry.

Terry is one of the best off-the-bench players in the league. He's finished in the top three of NBA Sixth Man of The Year Award voting each of the last four seasons. 

Losing Ray Allen will hurt, but replacing Allen with a quicker player who is a better defender and finished second in the league in made three-point shots last season is something that a player like Rondo would have to be excited about. 

Don't forget the rookies. 

For years Rondo has been one of the younger players on the Celtics. He played in the shadow of veterans Allen, Pierce and Garnett. After last season's playoff performance, that role stands to change next season.

As a starting point guard, Rondo is already in a position of on-court leadership. With 21-year-old Avery Bradley poised to become the starting shooting guard, Rondo will be the veteran leader of the backcourt.  

This past June's first-round draft picks, Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo, are also likely to play roles on next year's squad.  

The influx of younger players means the time for Rondo to assume a veteran leadership role off the court—as well as on it—has never been better.

In last year's playoffs, Rajon Rondo established himself as one of the NBA's toughest players to defend.

Now, on a team that came within one win of the NBA Finals last year, Rondo will find himself surrounded by a mix of both younger and older talent. 

It's a perfect combination, and Rondo will flourish with the new players on board.