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Celtics sign first-round pick G Rondo

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics signed first-round draft
pick Rajon Rondo on Tuesday.

Under the rookie salary scale, Rondo will make $1.98 million in
the first two years of the deal that runs through 2007-08. The
Celtics hold club options for the next two years of the
contract.

The Phoenix Suns selected the Kentucky guard with the 21st pick
before sending him and aging forward Brian Grant to the Celtics
for a future first-round pick.

The first point guard taken, the 6-1, 171-pound Rondo led the
Southeastern Conference in assists (4.9) and ranked second in
steals (2.0). He also led the conference in steals as a
freshman in 2004-05 with 2.56.