Rafer Alston, the same guy who smacked Eddie House in the head last season, told WEEI he would have been open to playing in Boston after being bought out by the New Jersey Nets.

Rather than the Celtics going after Alston, Alston told his camp after the buyout that he would like to play in Boston. He is “pretty sure” the Celtics knew of his interest, but he never had a conversation with the organization.

“I think it was my interest,” he told WEEI.com. “But I don’t think Doc [Rivers] would have opposed it knowing that you can grab a guy that can give you minutes at backup point for this team, and who’s a willing passer and just a natural point guard. Then understand, I played for [assistant coach Tom] Thibodeau before in Houston. So I’d always had them on my mind before I came here.”

What would Alston have done for Boston?

“Not back up but just complement, maybe get him [Rondo] some much-needed rest,” he explained. “Sometimes there are nights that he’s out there giving 40 minutes, and get him some rest. And also, you’d help the second-unit guys. You can keep some guys in their natural positions. You can keep [Eddie] House in his natural position; you can keep [Marquis] Daniels in his natural position, guys that are flirting between playing shooting guard.

“That’s one thing that I learned in this game. If you can keep everyone at their natural and most comfortable position, them succeeding is a better percentage.”

On just about every count, Alston is right. He could certainly have helped a Boston bench struggling to gain continuity, he would have made it easier for all the other Boston reserves, and he’d give Rondo some much-needed rest.

Instead, the Celtics have an open roster spot that could become useful at the upcoming trade deadline or once more buy-outs occur.

Time will tell if they made the right choice by passing on Rafer Alston.