Report: Celtics' Rondo seeking max, GM Ainge weighing options

Rajon Rondo wants to stay with the Boston Celtics, the Celtics would like to keep him and yet a great deal of uncertainty remains regarding Rondo's future with the franchise.

Such is life for a team with a star player on an expiring contract, due for a raise and set for unrestricted free agency. This coming summer represents a sort of crossroads for the Celtics, as they'll need to decide just how much they're willing to pay Rondo, who will seek a maximum contract, according to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report.

While a healthy Rondo at the max is close enough to fair value, the decision goes beyond dollar figures for Boston. The Celtics have a young point guard in Marcus Smart, and their rebuilding timeline could make it illogical to splurge on Rondo. Additionally, it's unclear if Rondo would want to stay if Boston is still in the process of rebuilding.

While the Celtics have reportedly rebuffed trade inquiries, general manager Danny Ainge realizes it won't be a cut-and-dried process for either side. As he told Bleacher Report:

A player like Paul (Pierce), and a player like Rondo, I think they're willing to do what's best for the franchise for a certain period of time. But I think there is a window in that sort of process as well. So we're in a situation right now where Rondo, we're trying to decide, is he worth a contract that he wants this summer? And he's trying to decide, is this where I want to stay?

Now, we know that this is where he wants to stay, assuming that we are a competitive team. We believe that. It's a place he would like to stay. But what sort of team we can put together may be a factor in that in the offseason.

In terms of putting together a competitive team, the Celtics are on the right track. They have a handful of attractive assets, have pretty clear books for the summer of 2016 and are always hyper-aggressive when star players become available.

However, they're not going to sell off assets to land a player who doesn't move the needle, Ainge said. He's preaching patience, which is smart for the franchise's long-term future, but could result in Rondo deeming Boston a poor short-term fit. 

As it stands, Rondo is auditioning well for the league this season. In eight games, he's leading the league by averaging 11.6 assists while also adding 10.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. A four-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion, health and the aging process - Rondo will be 29 this summer - are really the only questions an interested team could have.