The Boston Celtics are headed for the lottery for the first time since 2007, and Rajon Rondo is the only player left from the 2008 title team. Over the past eight years, he’s gone from the young, enigmatic point guard to the leader of a team in transition, and he told the Boston Globe about some of the challenges of that role.

“For the most part, guys are playing for contracts,” Rondo said. “It’s not a matter of being here. It’s a matter of staying in the league.” That pressure can weigh on a player. “If a guy is not under contract, obviously he wants to play well every game,” Rondo said. “He wants to make all his shots, do all the intangibles. “I’m not necessarily saying that a guy under contract won’t do all those things, but obviously it’s amplified when you’re playing for your life or you’re playing for your career.”

Rondo also said that he often leans on his former coach, Doc Rivers, for advice. Rivers coached the Celtics for the first seven seasons of Rondo’s career, and the point guard still views the now-Los Angeles Clippers coach as a valuable resource.

“I speak to Doc all the time,” Rondo said. “I’ve talked to him on the phone. I’ve talked to him after games, text-wise. He gives me advice all the time.”

The reality of the Celtics’ rebuild is new territory for Rondo. He’s used to playing on title teams, and before this year, he had only ever played for one coach in the NBA. Now, with the Celtics stockpiling draft picks and cap space, nobody is safe.