The Boston Celtics are off to a slow start in the 2014-15 NBA season, creating speculation that the team will enter into trades before the deadline on Feb. 19.
Celtics forward Jeff Green was mentioned in recent trade rumors after the 28-year-old said that he is tired of losing after Boston started the season with a 4-8 record. However, Green reiterated that he will not ask for a trade, saying that all trade talks about him are false.
"I just wanted to clear the air about some BS rumor that came out," Green told The Boston Globe, referring to a CSN New England report. "I don't know if the person who made this article is in this circle, but the rumor about me wanting to get traded is definitely false."
Green clarified that he is frustrated with their performance, not with the team. The six-year veteran, who is playing in the third year of his four-year deal with Boston, reiterated that he is happy in Boston, which was the reason why he agreed to stay in 2012.
"I'm happy where I'm at," Green said. "I'm happy with the coach, the front office, everybody. Haven't been happy like this in years, so it's a good place for me."
Green, who was traded to Boston from Oklahoma City Thunder midway through the 2010-11 NBA season, is averaging 18.4 points to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this season.
Aside from Green, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was mentioned in trade talks again, but Howard Beck, an NBA analyst from Bleacher Report, reported that the Celtics are determined to keep the superstar playmaker.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge reportedly told interested teams that they are not planning to trade Rondo before the trade deadline.
However, one rival executive said that the Celtics will be forced to part ways with Rondo instead of running risk of losing him for nothing when the 28-year-old becomes a free agent next summer.
"They're definitely bravely saying they won't trade him at this point," the rival executive said. "I definitely think it's the right thing to trade him. I think Danny knows it."
Rondo, who was limited to 30 games last season after recovering from a torn ACL, is averaging 10.1 points and 10.7 assists to go along with 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this season.
