NBA News: Rajon Rondo Plays Down Trade Rumors, Says Boston Celtics Are His Team

Rajon Rondo downplayed the trade rumors surrounding him, emphatically saying that the Boston Celtics is his team and he has no plans of leaving the squad.

Rondo, who has been one of the most-talked about players in different trade rumors as of late, said that the departure of former teammates Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will not force him to join a title contender.

Chris Forsberg of ESPN reported that the superstar point guard reiterated that the new-look Celtics squad is "his" team and that he is willing to embrace the challenge of helping the franchise get back to their status as one of the title contenders in the league.

"I love it here. The fans are great here," said Rondo in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. "And Danny Ainge has been straightforward with me. This is my team. Why would I want to leave? Why would I want out? I never really backed away from a challenge. This would be a challenge."

Rondo, who is still recovering from an ACL injury that he sustained in January that caused him to miss the final 38 regular season games of the Celtics, added that he is also looking forward to working with new coach Brad Stevens, whom he had built a close relationship with in a short period of time.

"I'm looking forward to working with coach Brad Stevens. It's a brand-new start for us as a team. A lot of new players and a lot of young guys willing to listen, so I'm very excited about that," Rondo said. "Me and Brad have become best friends. We talk every day, we laugh and joke, and we just had dinner the other night. I'm going to help him; he's going to help me. He has my full support."

As for his return, Rondo, who is due to receive $24.9 million in the final two years of his contract with the Celtics, said that no timetable has been established, but he vowed to continue working to get back into action as soon as possible.

"Just getting my leg as strong as possible and getting my mind as strong as possible to get back out there and believe in my leg and do the things that I was able to do before this injury," said Rondo, who averaged 13.7 points to go along with 11.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game last season.