The Cleveland Cavaliers could look to make another deal before the February 2017 trade deadline, with Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo emerging as a potential target.
The Cavs have already make their move before the deadline by reaching an agreement on a deal to acquire Atlanta Hawks sharp-shooter Kyle Korver, according to The Vertical. Korver's addition should help fill the void left by J.R. Smith, who is expected to be sidelined for a lengthy time after successfully undergoing surgery on his right thumb in December last year.
However, the Cavs are still relatively thin at the point guard position, which LeBron James has acknowledged following Cleveland's 106-94 loss against the Chicago Bulls.
"That was obvious from day one, first day of training camp," James said. "We don't have a reliable, veteran backup point guard."
The Cavs have been linked to rumors earlier this season about potentially adding a veteran backup point guard after the team reached an impasse with Mo Williams. The team has yet to explore their options, but according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Rajon Rondo could be in the defending champs' radar.
"Seated on the Bulls' bench for the third consecutive game was Rajon Rondo, a former All-Star who signed a two-year, $27 million deal in the offseason to come to Chicago. If the Bulls aren't going to play him, he'd like to be traded or bought out of his contract so he can choose his next team," Vardon wrote.
Rondo is still completely out of the team's rotation, spending Chicago's last three games on the bench. Rondo, who is averaging 7.2 points and 7.1 assists per game this season, admitted he did not get a "clear-cut message" regarding his benching from Bulls executive Gar Forman and John Paxson during their New Year's Eve meeting. But while it is still unclear whether the Bulls are really considering moving Rondo, the Cavs opening up a roster spot could suggest a veteran playmaker is on the way to Cleveland.
According to ESPN Cleveland's Aaron Goldhammer, the Cavs are likely to cut Jordan McRae from their rotation, giving the team two available roster spots to fill. With Chris Andersen done for the season, the Cavs could explore adding a backup center or a point guard who could come off the bench.
It is unclear whether Rondo would agree playing behind Kyrie Irving, but a chance to win another title could be enticing for the 30-year-old PG.
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