The Bulls benched Rajon Rondo for the second half of their game on Friday night and the point guard will remain out of the starting lineup. Michael Carter-Williams will start for the team. against the Bucks tonight and it’s unclear whether or not Rondo will even see back-up minutes.
Coach Fred Hoiberg had a meeting with Rondo this morning and the coach said Rondo “handled it well,” according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). Hoiberg added that the decision to take Rondo out of the starting line-up was not done as a disciplinary measure, as Vincent Goodwill of Comcast Sportnet relays (Twitter link).
After Friday’s game, Rondo said the benching was a not big deal, as Goodwill passes along in a full-length piece. “Things happen,” Rondo said. “It’s not life and death. Life is too short to be unhappy. It’s part of it, if I start, great. If I don’t, as long as we get the win that’s all that matters.”
Rondo was Chicago’s prized free agent acquisition, but Dwyane Wade‘s decision to come to the team just 12 days later overshadowed Rondo’s signing and created an overlap in skill sets within the backcourt. The point guard hasn’t played well since arriving in the Windy City. He’s only scoring 7.2 points per contest, which is the lowest figure since his rookie season, and he’s sporting a career low 11.2 player efficiency rating.
The down season is partly due to a reduced role, as his 16.6 usage rate is his lowest since his rookie campaign. Playing off the ball is not a strength of Rondo’s; he needs to the ball in his hand to make an impact. A change in scenery may be the best case scenario for the Kentucky product, perhaps to a team that will allow him to utilize his play-making skills.
Do you think the Bulls should trade Rondo? What team would make sense for the point guard and what could Chicago get back in return? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
They should trade Rondo, Doug McDermott, and a 1st Round pick to the Heat for Goran Dragic and Josh McRoberts
Hell no. McDermott is our best 3 point shooter. Dragic can’t play defense.
That deal is terrible and makes the Bulls worst imo
Yeah for Nerlens Noel
Magic, yes they need shooting but he is at least a upgrade at point guard. Peyton is just a poor mans rondo.
Rondo’s trade value is at an all time low. Between his attitude, his inability to shoot and his age I don’t see the Bulls being able to get much in return for him.
Bulls should move on from Wade, Rondo, and Taj. They aren’t the future. I think a trade that could work for all teams:
Bulls get Tyus Jones, Nerlens Noel, Adrien Payne Shabazz Mohammed
Philly gets Ricky Rubio, Bobby Portis
Minnesota gets Taj Gibson, Rajon Rondo
Philly gets a starting point guard and a young Power Forward with control to pair with Embiid or Okafor off the bench.
Minnesota gets out of the Ricky Rubio contract and gets depth at the big man position. Someone that would likely re-sign in Minnesota because of his relationship with Thibs.
Bulls get a young point guard with potential. They can take a long look at Nerlens Noel and have the ability to match a deal as he’s restricted. Same goes with Shabazz Mohammed. They get a young PF with another year of control.
I’d bet the Wolves would like Taj, but doubtful on Rondo. Both Rubio and Tyus are better options than Rondo IMO. I’d gladly watch Shabazz go in any deal, though.
Thibs isn’t taking this cancer. Coach killer…selfish…and has never been able to shoot. Doesn’t play defense…who wants him at any price.
Bucks just need a vet point guard and there a nasty team for who idk but its a fit
Go bulls
Rondo should be traded, but I don’t know if there’s a team that wants him due to his playing style. Ball dominant PGs who can’t space the floor have little value. Add his contract and declining play, it’ll be difficult to move him.
I wonder about a swap with Milwaukee for Monroe?
The Bulls are overdue for a rebuild, so trading first round picks for current NBA players would be counterproductive. At this point, their #1 priority should be acquiring a lottery pick in the 2017 draft. Their #2 priority should be hiring a new GM, but we all know that’s a snowball’s chance in hell.
Send Rondo and Sac’s provisional No. 1 back to Sac for Afflalo.
That could work
I was thinking along the same route, but different players.
Rondo + pick for Darren Collision and Ben McLemore.
This would free the Kings up to bring in Lance Stephenson and complete the crazy, lol. But for some reason, crazy seems to work in Sac, so ride with it.
Orlando Magic…… they need a point gd who creates offense for players……a 4 team trade would make a lot of sense.
Celtics
SACRAMENTO
BULLS
ORLANDO
send
Rudy gay and rondo to Orlando
Nik V to celtics
Willie CS and celtics future 2ND Rd picks to bulls
PAYTON AND GIBSON TO SAC
Lol WCS and Rudy Gay for Payton and Gibson… and the Celtics get Vuc for a future second rounder? I wish.
Rondo has negative trade value. Bulls could trade him for an equally bad contract or send a draft pick or picks to someone like the Nets or Philly to take him off their hands. Neither would be a good move.
Best thing to do is simply to buy him out to get rid of him.
Bulls need to blow this thing up:
#1- Jimmy Butler to Philly for Jahlil Okafor, 2017 1st round pick, LAL 2017 1st round pick, save 13 million
#2-Three team trade:
Bulls get Amir Johnson, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart,, Alan Anderson, Brooklyns 2018 1st round pick
Clippers get Dwayne Wade, Celtics 2017 1st round pick
Celtics get Blake Griffin, Michael Carter-Williams
Save 5.1 million
#3-Bulls trade Taj Gibson to Minnesota for Tyus Jones, #future 2nd round pick
#4-Bulls trade Robin Lopez to Brooklyn for Caris Lavert, #future 2nd round pick, save 11.6 million
Cut Alan Anderson, buyout Amir Johnson, I. Canaan
Roster:
C-Jahlil Okafor, Cristiano Felicio
PF-Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis
SF-Doug McDermott, Jaylen Brown, Paul Zipser
SG-Denzel Valentine, Caris Lavert
PG-Jerian Grant, Marcus Smart, Tyus Jones
Bulls would have Nets, Phillies, LAL 2017 1st round pick along with our own. Blow this thing up.
Lol that second trade…
Are the Sixers not begging someone to trade them a PG for one of their big men lol
Wow. I’m so shocked the Bulls plan to play Wade and Rondo together, 2 players that can’t space the floor to save their lives and need the ball a lot, has failed.