Bulls.com beat writer Sam Smith addressed several topics in his most recent mailbag, including the status of veteran point guard Rajon Rondo (article link). Interestingly, despite Rondo’s tumultuous season in Chicago, it is “no longer ridiculous” to envision the Bulls picking up Rondo’s $13.397MM option for 2017/18. Rondo has “remained and emerged as the one true point guard on the roster,” Smith notes, while serving as a great mentor for younger players.
Rondo’s contract is partially guaranteed for next season, meaning Chicago could create an additional $10MM+ in cap room by cutting him. If the Bulls decide to part ways with Rondo, they’ll want to make that decision by June 30, as they’ll only be on the hook for $3MM of his contract. Smith points out that Rondo could serve as a useful stopgap before the team receives a big payroll for free agency in 2018.
The Bulls are still very much in the playoff picture- just one game behind Miami for the eighth seed- thanks in part to Rondo’s quality play of late. The 31-year-old has posted 12.8 points on 49.2% shooting with 7.7 assists over his last six games, a sharp improvement from his rocky start to the season.
Along with Rondo’s production comes his baggage, of course. This season Rondo has publicly aired out teammates Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, saying “my vets [on the Celtics] didn’t pick and choose when they wanted to bring it” (link). Additionally, Ken Berger of Bleacher Report asserted that Rondo “just flat-out blows off” coach Fred Hoiberg‘s play calls.
Rondo spoke with K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune in mid-March, refusing to focus on his contract during the team’s playoff chase.
“I’ll visit that in the offseason. I’m just focused on trying to make the playoffs and do what I can for this team to help us win each game,” Rondo said. “I tried to stay positive throughout the entire thing. I’m not going to point fingers or say anything toward the organization. They gave me the opportunity to play for the Chicago Bulls and that was the goal from the jump.”