NBA Rumors: Danny Ainge Shopping Rajon Rondo for Chris Paul Despite Denials

A week or so ago, everyone was pretty much shocked when the Boston Celtics' Danny Ainge floated point guard Rajon Rondo's name in trade talks involving Chris Paul.

That cooled down but now as training camps and free agency are set to begin, the Celtics name is once again hotly involved in the Paul rumors.

Ainge denied shopping Rondo then and is denying it now, but despite the denials what we know is that Ainge wants Paul and has an offer out to get him.

What Ainge has shown is that he takes risks. Some pay off and some don't, but he's definitely in on Paul. Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Ainge has presented New Orleans as many as eight different trade scenarios.

Most of the scenarios involve Rondo, Jeff Green and a pair of first-round picks, which to date is probably the best offer New Orleans has for Paul.

Wojnarowski also reports that Ainge has indeed reached out to a third team, which just happens to be the Indiana Pacers, to help the Celtics land Paul.

In that scenario, Rondo would go to Indiana, while a combination of Darren Collison, Tyler Hasnbrough and others could possibly go to New Orleans.

So while Ainge has attempted to deny his pursuit of Paul, it's no longer believable. He wants him and will aggressively attempt to make it happen.

The only kicker is, will Paul be willing to sign an extension in Boston?

So far that answer has been no, but that's not going to stop Ainge from trying.