JULY 19: Rondo’s one-year deal with the Pelicans will be for $3.3MM, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). The signing is now official.
JULY 15: The Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, league sources tell Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). Charania’s report adds that the four-time All-Star met with the Pelicans twice (Thursday and Saturday) before reaching an agreement with New Orleans.
After he was waived by the Bulls last month, Rondo drew interest from several teams including the Lakers and Knicks. A late-season surge — that was cut short by an injury in the playoffs — helped Rondo rebuild some of the value he lost in the beginning of last season.
Rondo, 31, spent last season in Chicago where he posted totals of 7.8 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 5.1 RPG in 69 games (42 starts). However, Rondo’s tumultuous stint in Chicago included losing his starting role, a social media feud with former teammates Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, and a seemingly abrupt parting of ways. Rondo originally signed a two-year, $28MM deal with the Bulls but the second year was only partially guaranteed. The Bulls saved $10MM by severing ties with Rondo.
In joining New Orleans, Rondo reunites with DeMarcus Cousins, the Pelicans’ prized acquisition from last season, with whom he teamed in Sacramento during the 2015/16 campaign. In a Christmas Day feature in 2015, James Jones of the Sacramento Bee detailed how strong the bond between the veteran Rondo and emotional-yet-talented center Cousins developed.
“He’s a misunderstood kid,” Rondo said. “I think that’s why I gravitate toward him so much. I love what he’s doing.”
Trading Tim Frazier to the Wizards for a second-round pick left a vacancy that Rondo now fills. It’s likely that Rondo will mostly reprise his role as a reserve for the Pelicans in 2017/18. The team agreed to a five-year, $126MM deal with Jrue Holiday to be the team’s long-term point guard.
Rondo, a former NBA champion with the 2008 Celtics, will give Holiday opportunities to play off the ball and form a potent triumvirate with Cousins and Anthony Davis. Rondo holds the reputation of one of the NBA’s best passers and gives New Orleans strong depth in case of an injury.
Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but the Pelicans still have most of their mid-level exception available.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I think rondo can use AD/cousins better then Alvin
Everyone hates on Rondo but definitely agree with you
“Thank You, Pelican Family”
From,
Most of the beleaguered Knicks Fans
Makes Quinn Cook moderately useless on the NO squad ?
Knicks interested ?
Phoenix may be the “Lexington of the West,” but New Orleans is quickly becoming the “Lexington of the South” with AD, Boogie, and now Rondo.
What does that even mean lol
university of kentucky is in Lexington the three players he named went to uk
Thank you.
Seriously thank you cause I had no idea lol
That was an obscure reference at best.
Rondo has conflict everywhere he goes. He is a coach killer, can’t shoot, and should be sent to basketball Siberia. NO coach needs a pay raise. Boogie and Rondo are best buds….enough said. Hardwood Mardi Gras!
actually Alvin should have been fired already
Good addition. Hornets could get that 7-8 seed
Better than getting the 12th pick in the draft with no playoff money.
The Hornets left New Orleans buddy
Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans
Rondo will start next to Holiday. With great post presence in Davis and Cousins, adding Rondo will allow Holiday to utilize his strength to play off the ball as a shooter which is something they need to add around the 2 big men.
Add a good 3, and you’re ready to make some noise
Feeling sorry for the pelicans coach
Rondo is the best true point guard in the ligue with holiday on SG would be perfekt for AD and Cousins
Not being able to shoot doesn’t make him the best “true” PG
Thank you, Pelican Family !
From,
The vast majority of Knicks fans.
“DUP”
Sorry.
Seems like Rondo and Cousins really enjoyed playing with each other. I like this move for the Pelican. I truly feel that if this team doesn’t make the playoffs it’ll be White disappointment when you have a team with Davis and Cousins on the same team. I can see Boogie leaving in free agency if they don’t make the playoffs.
Look at the other teams on the West. It would be miraculous if the Pelicans find a way into the playoffs. Their roster is trash outside of 3 players
I can’t see it working with him. He needs the ball in his hands, same as Davis and Cousins. They need more outside shooting.
As the Mavs, Kings and Bulls will attest to, it rarely works out with this guy
Bulls were doing well till injury and didn’t adjust
They will gel better but needs from the bench come up way short this is WC not Ec