Celtics president says Rondo hasn't asked for trade

Rajon Rondo and his agent were quick to deny a report that said the Celtics point guard wanted out of Boston, and now Celtics President Rich Gotham has backed Rondo's denial.

Via the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn:

“You know, if he has made that demand, it hasn’t been directly to the Celtics,” Gotham said.

“I have not heard that. Rajon’s been working out all summer [in Boston]. He’s been here. This is his home. He’s been working hard. Everybody’s happy with his progress and everything he’s told us is he’s excited to be here, taking on a leadership role with the team.”

Rondo is entering the final year of his contract with the Celtics and is slated for unrestricted free agency next summer. He averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 2013-14, but has played in just 68 games over the last two seasons after a torn ACL sidelined him for a full year.

After making the playoffs in six of Rondo's first seven seasons, which included a championship and two Finals appearances, the Celtics entered a rebuilding mode last season following the departures of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce (as well as Ray Allen the year prior). Rondo will turn 29 during the upcoming season.