The batch of NBA free agents in 2016 is quite thin in the point guard position.
Rajon Rondo is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA today. In any other year, if the NBA assists leader is becoming a free agent teams would be all over signing him. But no one has dished more this season than Rondo, and teams feel the need to scrutinize.
The fact is, Rondo is still a good player but he is playing with one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league with a coach that was bound to be fired. If Rondo will join a solid organization, will he become great again like he was with the Boston Celtics?
Hoops Habit thinks so and this is why they suggest the Indiana Pacers is the best destination for him. Writer Maxwell Ogden points out his defensive abilities.
"When motivated, Rondo is just as capable, displaying the ability to contain scorers at both point guard and the 2. If that duo(Rondo and George Hill) can hold its own defensively, then the combination of Rondo and Paul George can anchor an explosive offensive attack."
Will George benefit from Rondo's presence? "George is coming off of a season during which he shot 41.8 percent from the field. Having Rondo, a three-time assists leader, would certainly make George's job easier as the No. 1 scoring option."
However, the locals at Indiana specifically Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star are wary of taking Rondo despite all the arguments in his favor. Rondo has gained a reputation similar to his star teammate DeMarcus Cousins in the Sacramento Kings as a hot-tempered player.
"Two other top-level talents are Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams, but both come with coach-killing baggage," Doyel said. "Not the ideal way for the Pacers' next coach, whoever it is, to start."
Nevertheless, if the Pacers choose a coach that allows Rondo more leeway as a point guard (his main conflict with Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks), he can become a spectacular addition to the Pacers.
Rondo was initially rumored to be a target of the New York Knicks, but he does not seem so keen to run the triangle offense. Judging by the Knicks coaching pursuit (or lack thereof) Phil Jackson still wants to implement the triangle offense in the Big Apple.
If the Pacers and the Knicks both make similar offers to Rondo, it is likely the NBA's assist leader will choose Indiana.