BOSTON - Rajon Rondo addressed the lingering trade rumors surrounding him, with reports saying that clashes between him and Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers have led to the team aggressively shopping the young star guard. Rondo, who had 14 points and 13 assists in the Celtics' big win over the New Jersey Nets on Friday, says he's used to it.
"It's deja vu," said Rondo, who has been mentioned in numerous trade rumors.
Rondo is in the midst of a career year, averaging 14.2 points and 9.6 assists, which is second in the NBA. Rondo has already recorded three triple-doubles on the year, but that hasn't been enough to quell the trade talks. A recent report from Chris Broussard of ESPN.com said that Rondo and Rivers were frequently butting heads, which Rivers denied.
"I don't know where people are getting their information from, but that was big of Doc to come out with a statement," said Rondo. "People are still going to say that me and Doc have problems. Even after Doc made that the statement he's made, people are still going to say what they want to say."
Rondo said that he and team general manager Danny Ainge have spoken recently, too.
"Danny talked to me a couple of days ago, but Danny and I always talk because of all the trade talk with my name in it, about once a week" Rondo said. "The same thing goes with Doc. Our communication has gotten better over the years."
The trade deadline in the NBA is at 3 p.m. EDT on March 15, 2012.
For more Celtics Trade Rumors, visit our trade stream and blog, CelticsBlog.