Rajon Rondo assigned to D-League's Maine Red Claws

Rajon Rondo's NBDL assignment comes on the same day the Celtics sent Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to the Warriors. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

In anticipation of his possible return to the NBA hardwood on Friday, Rajon Rondo was assigned on Wednesday to the NBA Development League's Maine Red Claws, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com.

The news comes within hours of Boston sending guards Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to the Golden State Warriors in a multi-team trade that allowed the Celtics to acquire Miami Heat center Joel Anthony and two draft picks from the Philadelphia 76ers.

According to the report on Rondo, Celtics president Danny Ainge said the point guard will be a participant in the Red Claws' workout on Wednesday but then will be immediately recalled to the Celtics for a season debut that will likely happen on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier this week, Rondo hinted at a Friday return.

The 27-year-old Rondo hasn't played a game since January 2013 after tearing his ACL. He underwent surgery in February and Ainge said on Wednesday that the four-time All-Star guard has been "progressing terrifically."

"Rajon is progressing terrifically in his rehab and this is the next step. This is a brief assignment so that Rajon can participate in a workout this afternoon with the Red Claws and he will be called back up to the Celtics upon the conclusion of the workout.”