We’ve heard Danny Ainge deny countless trade rumors over the course of his Boston Celtics tenure; but even during his strongest denials, we know that if he were hungry enough, he would trade his grandmother for a box of Cheez-Its.

If you want a denial that seems more meaningful, today Doc Rivers went out of his way — the Celtics weren’t scheduled for any media availability today, if I’m not mistaken — to support Rondo during an interview with Jackie MacMullan.

Doc Rivers spent an hour and a half with Danny Ainge before Wednesday’s win over Milwaukee, but the Boston Celtics coach says they never discussed trading point guard Rajon Rondo.

“… In all that time we did not talk once about any trades,” Rivers said. “There was not one single thing about Rajon Rondo that crossed my desk.”

“My relationship with Rajon is as strong as it has ever been,” he said. “Our communication has never been better. I want him here. I can say with almost 100 percent certainty he will be here with us when the season ends. I’m tired of this stuff. It’s not fair.”

Maybe that doesn’t mean Rondo will stay in Boston. I assume he, like anyone on the roster, is available for the right price. But it’s a sign that Rondo’s relationship with Rivers isn’t nearly as bad as Chris Broussard says it is, and it’s a sign that Boston is not desperate to dump Rondo, like Broussard reported.

“Rondo is a moody guy,” said one Celtics official, “but so what? Stand in line. There’s a league full of NBA guys who are more high maintenance than he is.

“He’s a real competitor, wants to get better and he’s a real gamer. Doc loves the fact that Rondo will fight through anything to be out on the court.”