Bulls guard Rajon Rondo plans to ask for a trade if his benching becomes permanent, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.
Rondo sat out his first full game Saturday, then met with GM Gar Forman and executive vice president John Paxson afterward. Rondo told them the same thing he told reporters, which is that he will “absolutely” request a trade if he is not getting regular playing time.
Coach Fred Hoiberg may use Rondo as part of the reserve unit, but his time as a starter in Chicago appears to be over. If Rondo comes off the bench, Hoiberg may alter Dwyane Wade‘s minutes because he and Rondo haven’t effective when playing together.
Rondo and Wade were the Bulls’ major free agent acquisitions over the summer, but there were concerns that their games were too similar for them to work in tandem. Both like to drive to the basket, and neither is especially dangerous as a 3-point shooter. Talking to reporters Saturday, Rondo refused to criticize the way the roster was constructed.
“I’m not going to say that,” Rondo said. “Am I going to think it? I thought a lot the last 24 hours. I thought a lot all season. I’m trying to figure out a way to help this team grow and get some wins.”
Rondo has experienced run-ins with coaches during past stops in his NBA career, but Hoiberg said his behavior has been good apart from a one-game suspension for throwing a towel at associate head coach Jim Boylen. Hoiberg’s decision to bench Rondo stems from his production rather than off-court incidents.
Rondo is averaging 7.1 assists per game for the Bulls after leading the league with 11.7 per night last season with the Kings. His scoring average has also dropped from 11.9 to 7.2 points per game.
“I’m coming off not necessarily my best year but a pretty good year in Sacramento. I was able to do things a little bit differently,” Rondo said. “Obviously, coming here playing with Dwyane and Jimmy [Butler] I knew would be different. Fred and I talked in the beginning, said I would be able to call a lot of the plays. The flow of the game and throughout the season, things may change.”
Even if Rondo does request a deal, nothing is expected to happen until closer to the February 23d deadline, Johnson tweets. Rondo is making $14MM this season and nearly $13.4MM next season, but only $3MM of his 2017/18 salary is guaranteed before July 1st.
Rajon must be traded before or after the trade deadline. The Bulls need some shooting and someone that fit in with Dwayne wade in the backcourt.
Never should have signed Wade Rondo was a a good pick up all they needed was more shooter sorry Ass management
Agreed. They so need to fire GarPax.
Hornets gets: Rondo, Mirotic, Zisper
Bulls get: Jeremy Lamb, Kaminisky, Sessiosns, Aa Harrison
Hornets get better guard depth, Wing prospect which they are lacking, and Mirotic for offense of the bench/to come in for Marvin/MKG (gives us another look)
Bulls get rid of Rondo. Clear minutes for MCW, Jerian, and a veteran in Sessions on a cheap deal at PG. Lamb gives them a younger 3D guy. Frank fits better than Mirotic and is cheaper/younger
This is a terrible trade for Charlotte
This is not 2K – I think it’d be very hard to trade Rondo for much, if anything right now
I don’t see any way Charlotte would part with Frank the Tank
That’s a terrible trade for Charlotte but I’d love it as a Bulls fan.
Rondo is a selfish son of a gun. I get looking out for yourself but man he can be a pain for a team.
Rondo is an assists machine — he’s far from selfish.
The problem with Rondo is his poor shooting. You need a starting PG who can hit 3s in the modern NBA.
As good as Taj Gibson has been, I think they need to change the rotation where he and Rondo come off the bench…the problem is that all of their guards have been terrible. Thought Denzel Valentine could contribute. I’d go with one of the PGs, Wade, Butler, McDermott, and Lopez and bring Taj, Rondo, and Mirotic off the bench. Maybe try to get more balance out there, and a little more spacing with both units, although its hard when you’re getting nothing out of anyone besides Butler, Wade, Gibson, McDermott, and Lopez.
What about Randy Foye for Rajon Rondo and a Second rounder. Not much can ask for at this point but it would A nice little trade for Chi .
Brooklyn wouldn’t want to part with a pick
Pretty sure it’s meant as:
Rondo + 2nd Rounder for Foye
You are right I miss read it
One of the biggest problems with Rondo is that he’s a turnover machine 1 full TOV more than CP3 36/min. Some say he is not selfish b/c he has high assist #’s, but his high turnovers are a result of him trying to inflate his assist figures. He’s a poor shooter if he can’t get to the rim, so the only way he’s going to get into the record books and HOF is through assists.
Bulls get Deron Williams – Gets them out of year 2 of Rondo, protects ball better.
Mavs get Nerlens Noel – RFA similar DeAndre skillset.
Sixers get Rajon Rondo – Gives the team a legitimate PG for 1.5 seasons. They can trade Sergio or let him go at seasons end, and return TJ to back-up role.
Theres honestly nowhere elae for rondo to go and start. He burned his bridges in Dallas. Played out his time in sac and now hes gonna wear out his welcome in Chicago. Pretty much every team has their PG already.
Here’s a guy who wasn’t wanted by the Sacramento Kings.
The same Kings who play Ty Lawson.
Yet, the Bulls decided it was 2012 and thought he was worth not a 1-year, make-good deal, but a 2 year deal.
And now bench him 30 games into the season. Because he doesn’t fit with the two other ball dominant stars on the roster.
And is redundant with the other PG they acquired, MCW. (for a 3 & D wing, who just shut down Russ Westbrook the other night.)
Anyone in here who believes Rondo has trade value isn’t living in the real world. Most likely situation is that they reach a buy-out and he’s set free.
Well played, Chicago.