BOSTON — The Boston Celtics’ rebuilding project suffered a major setback when four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo underwent surgery Friday to repair a broken left hand.

The Celtics said the point guard is expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks after a fall at his home Thursday night. The team gave no further details.

ESPN reported Rondo slipped in the shower and broke a bone in the back of his hand.

Avery Bradley, a four-year veteran who signed a four-year contract in July to stay with the Celtics, is expected to fill in at point guard.

Bradley played that role last season during Rondo’s 40-game absence following major knee surgery in the offseason.

The Celtics also have second-year guard Phil Pressey and rookie Marcus Smart, the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft.

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In 30 games last season, Rondo averaged 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 33.3 minutes.

Rondo had been the subject of trade speculation for several years. That continued after the Celtics finished with the third-worst record in club history, 25-57, last season under first-year coach Brad Stevens.

Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, has said he has no intention of trading Rondo but indicated the eight-year veteran can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014-15 season.

Ainge also has said no one is untradeable.

Rondo’s surgery came one day after the Celtics continued tinkering with their roster by making a trade that sent guard Keith Bogans and two future Sacramento second-round draft picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forwards Dwight Powell, Erik Murphy and Malcolm Thomas, guard John Lucas III, 2016 and 2017 second-round picks and a trade exception.

The Celtics also waived guard Chris Babb and guard-forward Chris Johnson.

Rondo has missed a total of 95 games the past two seasons, most the result of an ACL tear in January 2013.

Team officials raved about Rondo’s physical shape this offseason and often repeated that they believe he is poised for the best season of his career.


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