The Bulls had been quiet since trading Derrick Rose, letting Joakim Noah (to the Knicks), E’Twaun Moore (to the Pelicans) and likely Pau Gasol (somewhere) walk.
Now, Chicago is making its splash.
Marc J. Spears of ESPN:
Bulls to sign guard Rajon Rondo to a two-year, $28 million deal, he confirmed to @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 3, 2016
Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
Second season of Rajon Rondo's contract with Bulls is partially guaranteed, sources say
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 3, 2016
Rondo makes the Bulls better. It’s better to have him in the rotation than rely on just an aging Jose Calderon and unproven Jerian Grant.
The price isn’t cheap, but there isn’t better free agent point guard on the market. Well below the salary floor, Chicago could take this swing with little downside.
Rondo looked good as a distributor with the Kings. But they just opted to pay Garrett Temple instead. That happened for a reason, and not just because they’re the Kings. Rondo gives minimal defensive effort, and he sometimes chases his own stats -- particularly triple-doubles -- rather than making the right play.
The biggest drawback is whatever portion of Rondo’s 2017-18 salary is guaranteed. Assuming it’s a relatively small amount, the Bulls should have monstrous cap space next summer.
Rondo just makes them a little better in the meantime -- emphasis on little. This is a marriage of convenience, Chicago needing another point guard and Rondo (still) trying to rehab his image on a short-term deal.