Oh, Bulls.
Rajon Rondo clearly isn’t a part of Chicago’s future. At the same time, it’s not like the Bulls have a bunch of high-end point guards to supplant him. Not one of Denzel Valentine, Jerian Grant, Michael Carter-Williams or Isaiah Canaan qualifies.
Cameron Payne, a late-lottery pick in 2015, might, though. And the Bulls acquired him at the trade deadline, per The Vertical’s Shams Charania:
Sources: OKC and Chicago are nearing agreement on a trade to send package centered on Cameron Payne for Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2017
Surely this is the impetus the Bulls need to show Rondo the door?
Or not.
Per the Chicago Tribune‘s K.C. Jones:
GM Gar Forman confirms there are no plans to buyout Rajon Rondo, whose contract is attractive as trade chip into June.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 24, 2017
Rondo’s $13.4 million salary doesn’t become guaranteed until June 30. Maybe the Bulls view him as a draft-day trade chip—someone who can be used to help match incoming salary while proving immediate cap relief to his next team.
Really, this has to be the case, since Gar Forman, per Johnson, also emphasized playing the young guys:
My take on Gar/Pax: Play young guys last 25 gms.Find pieces worth keeping.Revisit Butler trade market in June.Get haul or build around Jimmy
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 24, 2017
Basically, the Bulls remain as puzzling as ever. It’ll be interesting to see if they stick to their guns here, playing the young guys while keeping Rondo, or if they end up going back to him in an attempt to secure a playoff berth.
