Optimistic Ainge thinks Rondo could be back by next training camp

Part of the theory on why the Celtics may want to start revamping their roster is that Rajon Rondo’s knee injury is not only going to put him out this season but it would make him miss part of the next one, too. Then, when he did come back, he wouldn’t quite be himself for a while. Basically, next season might be lost as well.

But that’s not how Celtics GM Danny Ainge sees it.

Granted he spoke with doctors, but the timeline he laid out for the Boston Globe seems very optimistic.

“Rajon will get surgery in 10 to 14 days, when the swelling is right and we anticipate that he’ll back and as good as ever in training camp,” Ainge said. “(Kendrick Perkins) Perk came back in six months and that’s a little bit unusual and Adrian Peterson came back in six months and so did Wes Welker. I guess every body is a little bit different and [with] every injury there’s some differences.”

Perkins game was not based on quick lateral moves. It may not be as severe, we’ll see what comes out of the surgery, I look at two more comparable NBA players with recent ACLs — Derrick Rose and Ricky Rubio — and I see 10 months before they returned to the court (assuming Rose is back not long after the All-Star Game, as expected). And if you watch Rubio, he follows the pattern of so many others who came back from the injury as not being themselves at first. Again, depends on the details of the injury, but that timeline seems optimistic.

Also like Chicago and Minnesota, Boston and its front office need to think long term here — it’s not about just next season with Rondo, it is the five after that as he leads the Celtics through a transition. Boston needs to be patient and think long term.

Training camp could happen, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

As for sudden trades to shake up the roster, Ainge once again downplayed them.

“We’ll see what transpires here the next few weeks with this team,” Ainge said. “We’re waiting. We’re waiting to see who’s all available and see what our needs are. Right now we have no needs. We got 11 healthy bodies and it’s tough to get those 11 guys on the court. We have good healthy players that can’t get the time they deserve and they want so we have no need right now. We’ll see over the next few weeks what we need.”

They have no needs? Look for a move, maybe something like getting Kyle Lowry or another available point guard, but don’t expect the earth-shattering move yet. Ainge doesn’t seem to be there yet.