Community Shootaround: Rajon Rondo

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!

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