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Report: Trading Rajon Rondo ‘not a high priority’ for Celtics

Oklahoma City Thunder v Boston Celtics

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 24: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the TD Garden on January 24, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

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Rajon Rondo has been mentioned in trade rumors in varying degrees over the past couple of seasons, but there may never be more security in him remaining in Boston as there is right now.

Not only is Rondo’s value at an all-time low after he played just 30 games last season as he made his way back from a knee injury, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, which means there’s little incentive to give up anything of value when he can simply be signed outright at the conclusion of the upcoming season.

The Celtics are aware of this, of course, so even though the team is in a rebuilding situation, it appears ready to ride out at least the first half of the year with its four-time All-Star in place on the roster.

From Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:

While the Celtics are trying to figure out ways to clear roster space before training camp, moving Rondo is not a high priority. First off, Rondo will be a free agent next summer and fully intends on taking the LeBron James-Carmelo Anthony tour of teams and extending the negotiation process deep into next summer. It is highly unlikely Rondo would sign an extension this season with an interested team, especially the Sacramento Kings. Second, the Celtics don’t feel pressed to deal Rondo because they are still trying to determine if he’s part of the future and they are intrigued to see him in action a full 18 months following ACL surgery.

Every rebuilding team needs to add star power at some point, and the Celtics already know what they have in Rondo -- a capable (if at times moody) floor general who has previous championship experience with the franchise.

Boston will wait to see if Rondo can return to his former stellar level of play before making any decisions, and will undoubtedly feel out the situation to see if he might be amenable to re-signing once the season is finished. Depending on the outcome of those evaluations, the possibility of trading Rondo before February’s midseason deadline can always be revisited.