"Rajon Rondo has not been pleased to see his name mentioned so prominently in trade talks this week. But the agent for the Celtics point guard said yesterday he believes the matter has calmed considerably.

Sources confirmed days ago that the Celtics have discussed Rondo in a deal for Hornets point guard Chris Paul and in other scenarios, but nothing has come of those talks. President Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers endorsed Rondo on Thursday, but stopped short of saying the club definitely wouldn't let him go.

According to one source, Rondo has been angry with the sense the Celts are shopping him, but his representative used calmer language to describe the player's response.

"I think he's just curious," said Bill Duffy, who was at the Celtics practice facility yesterday. "?'Do they want me, or do they not want me?' Those are the prominent questions that he's asking.

"It's just disturbing. It's disturbing for everybody. It's disturbing for me. It's disturbing for him, because it makes one think, 'Where do I stand in this relationship?' Particularly because he's a darn good player, and this is a very successful franchise, and he's one of the key players on the franchise.

"When the uncertainty of your situation becomes a prominent topic — not just within your household, but on a national basis — it is a bit challenging."

"Challenging" would be a good way to describe the relationship between Rondo and Rivers through the years, but word is the two are making moves toward a better understanding. Rondo has four years left on his contract at an average of about $11.5 million per — more than reasonable money for an All-Star. But he and Rivers have had their problems."