Rajon Rondo says he hasn’t spoken to Carmelo Anthony about potentially joining the Knicks down the road – despite what his former high school coach said on Friday.
“I haven’t talked to him about that,” Rondo told the Boston Globe at shootaround prior to Tuesday night’s game in Brooklyn against the Nets.
Oak Hill Academy’s Steve Smith, who coached both Anthony and Rondo, said otherwise.
“Whether he stays in Boston or not, who knows. I know, talking to Melo, he’s recruiting Rajon to come to New York,’’ Smith told USA Today Sports. “Melo thinks he’ll come too. You never know about that stuff though. I think either way, Rajon will be fine.”
Asked about those comments, Anthony said: “C’mon, man. In my book, that’s tampering.’’
Had Rondo confirmed his former coach’s comment, Anthony would have been subject to an NBA fine for tampering.
A few weeks ago, a report linked the Knicks and the Celtics in trade talks for Rondo, who has yet to play this season as he rehabs following right knee surgery. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge shot down the rumors, saying he hadn’t received any inquiries about Rondo and didn’t want to trade the speedy point guard anyway.
The Knicks will have major cap space in 2015 when Rondo, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge are free agents. Despite reports, Boston general manager Danny Ainge said no team has contacted the Celtics about a Rondo trade and Ainge doesn’t want to deal him. Rondo still is rehabbing from knee surgery.