The Bulls are such a dysfunctional mess that every talking head around the NBA wants to give their two cents. ESPN joined in on the fun this morning with a Q&A round-table panel of their league insiders. The biggest storyline and pressing issue for Chicago right now is what they plan to do with recently benched veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. With team VP John Paxson trying to get more minutes for the younger players and Rondo struggling to run Fred Hoiberg’s offense, the $14 million free agent acquisition is looking like a completely busted experiment. And he’s made it publicly known that he wants to be traded if the benching continues.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear at first glance that there would be many teams interested in trading for the former Celtics champion before the NBA’s trade deadline next month. Rondo’s well past his prime, his numbers are way down this season and he’s a behavioral risk. If Paxson and GM Gar Forman found a suitor willing to take Rajon, they’d almost certainly have to include another piece (young player or draft pick) in the package. So how do the Bulls undo this mistake of a signing without losing any assets?
ESPN’s panel of insiders all seem to agree on the most logical option for Rondo and the Bulls:
a buyout.
Amicable Divorce
Here’s what each insider had to say when posed with the question of “Will Rajon Rondo still be on the Bulls roster after the trade deadline?”
If he is, only until a buyout is completed shortly thereafter. While Rondo has handled his benching with professionalism thus far, I don’t think it makes sense for either side for him to stay on the roster. And at this point, I’m not sure who would be interested in trading for Rondo, so I think a buyout is the most likely outcome. – KEVIN PELTON
The Bulls would be extremely happy if someone took Rondo off their hands. Problem is, it’s unlikely anyone wants a player suspended for “detrimental conduct” by two of his last three teams. I’m one of many who expect Rondo’s next destination to be China. – JEREMIAS ENGELMANN
Very little chance. The Bulls have younger options that need the court time at that position, and they need to give poor Fred Hoiberg a break. I can’t see another team giving up anything for Rondo, or even wanting him, so a buyout seems the most likely outcome — if Reinsdorf is willing to eat the money. – BRADFORD DOOLITTLE
No. I think Rondo and the Bulls will come to some sort of buyout. He still wants to play and the Bulls want to go in a younger direction. The Bulls rolled the dice and signed him. It didn’t work. Now it’s better for all involved if both parties make the divorce amicable. – NICK FRIEDELL
There you have it. Buyout, buyout, buyout, with an option on Rondo’s NBA career ending and going to China to continue playing. Nobody believes the Bulls will find a suitor for him, and there are plenty of reasons to support that theory. It will end up costing the Bulls some dough, but that’s a small price to pay for proactively fixing a mistake rather than letting it linger.
Still Professional
Despite this unfortunate situation, Rondo is being praised by his coach and teammates alike for the professional way he’s handled the benching. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune proved as much in recent days.
Wade said Rondo has been an exemplary teammate, praised his professionalism.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 4, 2017
Hoiberg keeps praising Rondo's professionalism. And Rondo is smiling, working w/ Grant. But nothing's changed: Rondo wants out if permanent
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 2, 2017
Everyone’s being professional and sensitive. Great. But the final and most important piece of this gross puzzle is unchanged: if Rondo keeps sitting, he wants out. The general consensus appears to be that a buyout is necessary for that to happen.
