The Chicago Bulls saw with crystalline clarity just how valuable Rajon Rondo is to their success during their six-game series against the Boston Celtics this postseason. Therefore it’s not surprising that they have a strong desire to retain the veteran point guard for the 2017-18 season.
Speaking with local media on Wednesday, Bulls executive vice president (and newly minted CEO) John Paxton made it clear the Bulls are seriously considering bringing Rondo back.
Pax: There's a really good chance we'll bring Rajon back.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 3, 2017
Paxton gave a very specific reason for wanting Rondo back.
Pax: We don't have great shooting. Outside of Rondo, our PGs didn't play with pace.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 3, 2017
Chicago won its first two games against the Celtics, despite playing in the hostile environment in Boston, thanks in large part to Rondo. He averaged 11.5 points, 10 assists, 8.5 rebounds and three steals as the driving force for the Bulls in those first two games.
After he injured his thumb, the Bulls lost four in a row, and Fred Hoiberg never did find a viable combination of fixes to account for Rondo’s absence.
No doubt the Bulls will attempt to find a long-term answer at the point guard spot. Rondo is already a 11-year veteran and is 31 years old. But right now, he’s the best player on Chicago’s roster outside of Jimmy Butler. The franchise has until June 30 to buy Rondo out for $3 million, but that doesn’t appear to be in the cards.