The Chicago Bulls could consider moving on from Rajon Rondo as part of upgrading the team's point guard position.
The Bulls are considered as a playoff team, but the team clearly lacks a player who could fix their spacing problem. The backcourt tandem of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have somehow put Chicago in the winning column, but along with Jimmy Butler, the trio of All-Stars are ineffective during fourth quarters and when tempo slows down.
According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, upgrading the point guard position could address the Bulls' issues, which could open up trade possibilities for Rondo.
The Bulls signed Rondo to a two-year $28 million deal this past summer in hopes of filling the void left by Derrick Rose, who was involved in a trade with the New York Knicks. Rondo was brought in to shore-up Chicago's offense and ball movement, but the 30-year-old point guard has been hardly a factor on the offensive end, shooting a career-low 37.6 percent from the field. He is also fourth-worst of all players in the league in offensive ratings, scoring only 0.66 points per 100 possession.
As noted by O'Connor, it could prove too difficult to trade Rondo, who has "no value on the trade market." However, trading Rondo to the Miami Heat for Goran Dragic could work wonders for the Bulls.
"Wade and Dragic didn't exactly mesh playing over a full season together in Miami, but it might be worth a shot," O'Connor wrote.
"Dragic has a relatively cheap contract that also runs through 2019 (both he and Butler have options for 2020). If a Butler-Dragic pairing shines, the Bulls would have the cap space to attempt to sign a big-time free agent in 2018."
Acquiring Dragic would give the Bulls a point guard who could shoot more effectively outside. Dragic is a career 47 percent from the field and is shooting a respectable 45.6 percent this season. The 30-year-old point guard is also making 42 percent of his shots from the three-point area, potentially addressing the Bulls' lack of outside shooting and offensive efficiency.
Dragic is reportedly open to being moved before the deadline, according to Chris Mannix of The Vertical. While Dragic has strongly denied any of those rumors, a potential deal could still be on the table, especially if the Heat, who are currently dwelling in the bottom half of the East rankings, consider rebuilding this season.
A straight swap of Rondo for Dragic would work under the NBA salary guidelines, although it remains to be seen whether the Heat would consider acquiring Rondo if they want to rebuild. Nevertheless, it would be intriguing to see the Bulls make a move before the February 2017 trade deadline, with Rondo as the team's main trade chip.
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