Not even a couple months ago, Bulls vice president John Paxson said there was a “really good chance” Chicago would exercise Rajon Rondo’s $13,397,000 team option.
But trading Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves sent the Bulls into rebuilding. So, now the 31-year-old Rondo would fit even less.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:Rondo has been included in some recent trade proposals because of the way his contract is structured, including some larger scenarios with Butler before the deal with the Timberwolves materialized. Barring an unexpected trade opportunity materializing Friday, expect Rondo to be waived.
Sources said the Bulls and Rondo’s representatives discussed re-signing the veteran guard at a lower salary. But that’s a long shot scenario.
Rondo still has $3 million guaranteed next season. The Bulls would have to decide whether to stretch that remaining salary within one business day of waiving him. So, presumably, they’d have the weekend – free agency begins Saturday – to discuss with players and teams whether that extra cap space would help this summer. Most likely, they’re better off eating the entire cost now and having cleaner books in 2018 and 2019.
Chicago appears ready to turn over point guard duties to Kris Dunn and Cameron Payne.
Rondo will again face a market that might not be quite enthusiastic about him as he hopes. He’s clearly behind free agents Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague and George Hill. Rondo is probably lower in the pecking order than Patty Mills and Milos Teodosic, too.