Up against a Monday night deadline, the Boston Celtics and point guard Rajon Rondo reached an agreement on a contract extension. The deal is reportedly a five year deal and will be worth at least $55 million.
“I’m excited, thankful, humbled,” Rondo said. “Nothing changes, though. There’s still one goal in mind. It’s a great opportunity, but I’m focused on winning a championship.”
Rondo and the team agreed to the deal late Sunday night, thanks in large part to what the 23-year-old guard has demonstrated since training camp began.
General manager Danny Ainge and owner Wyc Grousbeck balked at giving Rondo the kind of deal he wanted because of concern about his leadership skills and integration in the team fabric when negotiations began.
The Celtics and Rondo were faced with a midnight deadline Monday night to work out a deal. Had the sides not been able to come to an agreement on an extension, Rondo would have become a restricted free agent July 1.
Rondo is earning $2.3 million this season in the last year of his rookie contract. He averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game last season but pushed those averages to an impressive near triple-double in the playoffs.