Rajon Rondo might not play for the Chicago Bulls next year, but it’s how he won’t play for them that’s still undetermined.
Rondo has an option on his contract with the Bulls that the team must decide on before July 1, and reports indicate the team is looking into trading him instead of picking up or declining the offer for themselves.
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 had a bit of a resurgence with the Bulls in the postseason before his injury. Rondo’s deal gives the Bulls an option to waive him for $3 million rather than pay him the $13.4 million team option, and the team initially said they intended to keep Rondo. But with Jimmy Butler gone it seems Chicago is interested in truly starting over. If those plans don’t involve Rondo, it makes sense to try getting something for him while they still can.
