Rondo says he wants to stay in Boston beyond this season
BOSTON - Rajon Rondo wore a black sling on his left arm to help protect the surgically repaired bone in his hand.
His relationship with the Boston Celtics appears healthy.
Entering the final season of his contract, the only star on the rebuilding team had a simple answer Monday when asked if he wants to stick around beyond that: ''Yes,'' he said.
The point guard is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of Boston's season, which starts Oct. 29 at home against the Brooklyn Nets.
President of basketball operations Danny Ainge said at the Celtics' media day that he has tried to sign Rondo to an extension, but the collective bargaining agreement makes it in Rondo's financial interests to wait.
Meanwhile, Rondo must wait to play until getting medical clearance for the injury that he said occurred when he slipped in the shower.
The four-time All-Star became the undisputed leader of the young team when the Celtics traded Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Nets before last season. But he has been the subject of trade speculation several times in his eight NBA seasons, all with Boston.
The 28-year-old Rondo seems to have bonded with 37-year-old Brad Stevens, who took over as coach before last season.
''He's the most positive coach I've ever played for,'' said Rondo, who played his first seven NBA season under Doc Rivers and his two seasons at Kentucky under Tubby Smith. ''We talk a lot. He's actually the guy I call and work out with. So it's kind of unusual for the head coach to be the guy that you work out with.''
Working with a rebuilt roster, Stevens was 25-57 last season for the third-worst record in team history. It was the first season of Stevens' six-year, $22 million contract.
Rondo missed the first 40 games last season recovering from major knee surgery and was healthy this offseason, until Thursday night. He had surgery on Friday.
''I'm just anxious to get back out there on the court and show what I can do,'' he said. ''I know this isn't a championship team, but we're going to go out there every night and play hard.''