The Celtics have until the end of the week to sign Rajon Rondo to a contract extension. If they don't get it done by that time, he will be a restricted free agent next summer, meaning the Celtics will have the right to match any offer he gets in the open market. A week ago, the sides weren't talking, with Rondo's side making it clear they were looking for serious money to lock up the young and talented point guard. Earlier this week, Rondo's agent even went as far as to say there was nothing more to discuss and that his guy would be playing the year out and hoping for more. But agent Bill Duffy showed up in Cleveland to talk with Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge. He said the Celtics had moved off their proposal, and the two were to talk even more as the week went on.
"To me, it's all about negotiating," Ainge said of Duffy's comments. "If he says he won't talk to me, then he won't, but he hasn't told me it's over.
"We're going to have discussions right up until the 31st. I'm not aware of any discussions ending."
Rondo would like a resolution.
"I would like to get it done, but it is what it is," he said. "It's not like I'm worried about it.
"It's interesting. Guys warned me about what it was going to be like, but everyone has to go through it for himself."
CELTICS 92, BOBCATS 59: The Celtics won their home opener with ease, throwing a load of defense at Charlotte, which scored its franchise low (by three). The Celtics got 27 points off 21 Bobcat turnovers, holding the visitors to 31.1 percent shooting (0-10 on treys).
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