Chicago Bulls: Analyzing Rajon Rondo reacquisition theory

How the first tenure went between Rajon Rondo and the Chicago Bulls

Rajon Rondo had an interesting first go-around with the Chicago Bulls. John Paxson are Gar Forman signed him to a one-year deal worth $14 million to become the starting point guard next to Chicago native star shooting guard Dwyane Wade. Right away, the relationship between Wade and Rondo was strained.

Wade tried to make this team his along with then rising star small forward Jimmy Butler. That was also the last full season that we saw ‘Jimmy Buckets’ in a Bulls uniform. But, the goal for GarPax of bringing in Rondo and Wade to play alongside Butler was to rotate the backcourt and bring in a veteran/star presence that would take this team to the next level.

Instead of taking this team to the next level, the acquisitions of Rondo and Wade actually pushed the Bulls to take a step back. There was little-to-no floor spacing or consistent outside shooting ability. The coaching staff also didn’t use Rondo in the right fashion in the slightest. GarPax, the locker room, and former Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg are all to blame there.

Even though he was clearly the best point guard on the roster that season, Rondo only started 42 of the 69 games he appeared in during the 2016-17 campaign with the Bulls. In that time, he averaged 7.8 points per game, 6.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He posted good numbers considering his role and lack of consistent playing time.