Rajon Rondo’s performance in the playoffs highlighted why the Celtics have considered trading him, and also why they asked a very steep price for him.

Rondo was suspended for the second game of the first-round series against the Hawks, and his absence could have meant an early ousting. If not for a Paul Pierce explosion and a strong bench contribution in Game 2 against Atlanta, there might not have been a second-round series against the 76ers, much less a seven-game Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.