Isaiah Thomas averaged 20.3 points per game last season with the Sacramento Kings and is averaging 15.5 coming off the bench this season for the Phoenix Suns.

“My teammates are good guys, the organization is great, and the style of play is perfect,” Thomas said. “It’s a big reason why I chose here because it favors my strengths, getting up and down, scoring and shooting at will, and using our strength, which is our guards.”

The first call Thomas received when he became a restricted free agent was from Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.

“It was crazy because I was playing in a basketball game that night, I checked my voice mail and it was Danny Ainge,” he said. “I was tripping because that’s big right there. That’s Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics, all of that. It really hit me like dang, [free agency] is about to start. He sent me a voice mail and sent me a text message. He brought up Avery (Bradley) and all the guys who have been in Boston from the [Seattle/Tacoma] area.”

Jeff Green cleared up his comments to Comcast SportsNet when he said that his frustration was at an "all-time high" due to losing.

Green received word that there have been articles written about trade possibilities with the Boston Celtics.

“Before you start, I just wanted to clear the air about some BS rumor that came out,” Green said. “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.

“I said that I was frustrated with losing, not frustrated with the team. So if the words didn’t come from my mouth, I’d appreciate it if you not write a dumb [expletive] article like that."

In 2012, Green signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Celtics. The next season, Boston went 25-57 with the team rebuilding after the end of the Big Three Era. Green has said he wanted to be a key part of that turnaround.

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have signed a contract to come back here,” Green said. “I’m happy where I’m at. 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.”

Rival executives have told Bleacher Report that Danny Ainge has been firm that the Boston Celtics will not trade Rajon Rondo ahead of the trade deadline.

"They're definitely bravely saying they won't trade him at this point," said one general manager, who nevertheless added, "I definitely think it's the right thing to trade him. I think Danny knows it."

Rondo's representatives are said to be pursuing a max contract, which would be for five years and an estimated $106 million if he stays with Boston, while his deal elsewhere would be four years and about $79 million.

"My body feels a lot better, my legs are a lot stronger," Rondo said, comparing his play now to last season, when he was just making his way back. "I can get into the paint a lot easier now, this year. Last year, I was pretty slow. So this year I'm a step faster."

"This is going to be his best year of his career, I think," Ainge said, though not because Rondo is on any sort of salary drive. "Knowing Rondo, he just wants to show that he's one of the elite point guards in the NBA again. But yeah, he is a foundational piece that we already have that's right there. But there is uncertainty for this upcoming offseason."

The Boston Celtics have assigned rookies Dwight Powell and James Young to the Maine Red Claws. 

Powell, a 6'11" forward out of Stanford, appeared in six contests for the Celtics during the preseason and averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game over that span.

Young, a 6'6" guard/forward out of Kentucky, appeared in two games for the team during the preseason and averaged 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal in 22.7 minutes per game. He made his NBA debut against the Houston Rockets on November 1 and has averaged 4.5 points in 4.7 minutes over his two appearances this season.

Rajon Rondo will have to make a decision on his future with the Boston Celtics when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Kendrick Perkins remains one of Rondo's closest friends as a former teammate and believes the point guard wants to stay with the Celtics.

“I think it’s a great place for him,” Perkins said. “I think he wants to stay here. You know, we talk on a regular basis and I think he should stay. If I was him, I would stay.

“I just think it’s a perfect situation for him. He’s got a good group of guys around him, good coach. It’s his team, he’s able to play the way he’s capable of playing. He’s almost averaging a triple-double. He’s got some good talent around him in [Jared] Sullinger, Jeff [Green], the young kid [Kelly Olynyk]. He’s got some good talent around him. I think he wants to stay. I think he should. But you never know how it works out.”

Perkins is in the last year of his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder and admitted he would consider a return to the Celtics.

“If the opportunity presents itself I will,” Perkins said. “You never know. It’s not on me. I’ve got to be wanted to come back. So it’s always that ‘if.’"

The Boston Celtics have assigned forward Dwight Powell to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League, the team announced on Sunday.

Powell, a 6’11 forward, appeared in six contests for the Celtics during the preseason and averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game over that span.

Marcus Smart was carted off the court in the fourth quarter of the Boston Celtics' 101-98 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Smart was diagnosed with a sprain and bone bruise on his ankle and he'll miss two to three weeks.

Smart's leg was immobilized and he then was taken to the locker room, giving a thumbs up as he was wheeled off.

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to pursue Rajon Rondo in free agency, according to several rival executives.

Rondo is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and Kobe Bryant has been a longtime admirer.

The Boston Celtics are in rebuilding mode and their intentions for Rondo in the long-term are unclear.

The Lakers could have more than $30 million in cap space.