Rondo's agent addresses trade talk

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WALTHAMNBA agent Bill Duffy was at the Boston Celtics' practice facility on Friday, but it had nothing to do with one of his top clients, Rajon Rondo, who has been the subject of trade rumors.

Still, Duffy told CSNNE.com that he and Danny Ainge, the C's president of basketball operations, have had conversations regarding the trade rumors.

"Rajon is here, he wants to be here and from what I can gather, they want him here," said Duffy, who was in town to see his son, Treaven, play basketball at a nearby prep school. "It's kind of just getting re-engaged before the season starts. I think everything will work out."

While trade talks can be somewhat disruptive to the individual player and the team as a whole, Duffy doesn't anticipate that being an issue with Rondo moving forward.

Both Ainge and Celtics head coach Doc Rivers talked about how such rumors -- the most common one involving a trade which centered around Rondo and New Orleans guard Chris Paul -- come with the territory of being one of the NBA's better players.

"There's a reason when whatever this thing leaked out, it was all over the news," Rivers said. "It's because the players they were talking about, are both really good. Rondo has established that with his play. He is a great basketball player and he does so many things for our team."

Duffy doesn't like the rumors, but, "it is better to be in this position than, 'you might get cut because you're not good enough.' So it's probably a good problem to have in that respect."

However, a clear understanding of the situation has to be established.

But with the NBA not allowing players and front official officials to speak directly just yet, Ainge has not been able to talk directly to Rondo about the matter.

He told reporters on Thursday that he is not shopping Rondo and that it is not his intent to move Rondo - or any of the Big 4 - this season.

"The biggest thing players want is clarity," Duffy said. "Like, 'if you're going to trade me, tell me.' Players don't like to feel they're being manipulated or behind-the-scenes not really knowing what's going on. That comes down to respect, more than anything else."

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