NBA

"I talk to Doc all of the time, and we're talking about our plans for next year," said Ainge. "I only expect Doc to say something to me if he is not coming back," Ainge added. Right now, signs continue to point to Rivers returning, and it would be a surprise if he didn't come back for at least one more season with the Celtics.

Dickerson takes it one step further by saying that he doesn't "think Paul Pierce believes" he'll return to Boston. This needs to be taken with a tablespoon of salt given the way it's phrased, but GM Danny Ainge has already acknowledged that Boston's offseason begins with a determination on Pierce's future. There are no easy answers for the Celtics. If Pierce doesn't return, Kevin Garnett's future will be very much up in the air.

The feeling might not be mutual. Wilcox struggled through an injury-plagued season with Boston during his second season with the Celtics, and the team needs a big man capable of staying on the floor behind Kevin Garnett. "If it's meant to be, it'll be," Wilcox said.

We've heard Rondo could be traded in the "right deal" for a while now, but Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook or someone of that nature is not walking through the door. The C's will only move Rondo if it's a trade that unquestionably makes the team better, and it's not expected that scenario will be available to Boston. The Boston Herald writes this "nearly annual look into Rondo's trade value has to eventually reach a limit," but we wouldn't expect it to be during the offseason. The Celtics don't even have a true backup in place at point guard.

The team holds a $15.3 million option on Pierce and can buy him out for $5 million before June 30, but a buyout seems unlikely. When asked what goes into determining Pierce's future, Ainge replied, "Conversation with my coach, conversation with Paul and his representatives. There's a lot that will go into it," he said. Ainge also said that Pierce is "one of the greatest Celtics of all time and that will play part in it," adding that Pierce "still has a lot of basketball left in him." It doesn't sound like "Trader Danny" is set to move on from his core just yet, meaning we could be looking at a very similar Celtics team heading into next year.

Rondo underwent surgery in mid-February, so if he's able to be ready at the start of training camp, it will be a pretty speedy recovery for the Celtics starting point guard. Rondo recently said he's still not walking or jumping in his rehab yet, so it sounds like the bulk of the work to be done in his rehab will be done during the summer months. We'll get multiple updates on his progress between now and then, but so far, so good.

Terry dismissed the notion of retirement. "I have to get back to Sixth Man of the Year form," he said. Terry was a disappointment for the majority of Boston's season, and put bluntly, he'll need to play better in order to regain his previous form.