Report: Bulls To Sign Rajon Rondo To 2-Year Deal
(CBS) The Bulls have an answer at point guard after the recent blockbuster trade of former MVP Derrick Rose.
Chicago will sign Rajon Rondo to a two-year deal worth, he told The Undefeated's Marc Spears. The deal with worth $30 million, according to reports. A talented performer who has sometimes been difficult to coach, Rondo figures to slot in right away as a starter and serve as the team's offensive initiator.
The second year of Rondo's deal is a mutual option, CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill reported, meaning either side can walk away from the contract after the first year. That allows the Bulls to keep financial flexibility in summer 2017, which will feature a stronger free-agent class.
The 30-year-old Rondo averaged 11.9 points and was the NBA's assists leader at 11.7 per game last season in Sacramento. He shot 45 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent on 3-pointers. He added 6.0 rebounds per game.
A 10-year NBA veteran, Rondo has career averages of 11.0 points and 8.7 assists. He's a career 29.8 percent 3-point shooter.
Rondo played 2015-'16 on a prove-it deal, a one-year contract worth $10 million.
Rondo comes with baggage. He's clashed with coaches in multiple instances, most notably in a chaotic 2014-'15 season with the Mavericks. Last season, Rondo was suspended for for one game for uttering a homophobic slur toward an official.
Rondo met with Bulls officials in Chicago on Friday, according to reports. His addition gets them to the salary cap floor. It also all but ends any speculation of Chicago adding shooting guard Dwyane Wade.