Rajon Rondo (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls should start exploring their options in trading Rajon Rondo, and among the potential scenarios the team could consider is moving the All-Star point guard to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez.
Rondo is still completely out of the Bulls' rotation, with the veteran playmaker earning DNP-CDs in the team's last three outings. His 12th man status has sparked speculations about the Bulls exploring deals for Rondo, who signed a two-year $27 million deal in the offseason to come to Chicago.
There aren't any indications the team would consider trading Rondo before the February 23 trade deadline, but David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune believes it could be time Chicago trades the 30-year-old point guard, who signed a two-year $27 million deal this past summer.
"The Bulls will be unlikely to find a trade partner for a guy with Rondo's baggage. But whether they can move Rondo or not, it's time the Bulls show support for Hoiberg and move on," Haugh wrote.
The Bulls may not find plenty of takers for Rondo, who is averaging 7.2 points and 7.1 assists per game this season. But if the Bulls are looking to further improve their roster at the expense of Rondo, trading for Brook Lopez should be in the team's list.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Nets are still willing to trade Lopez, despite playing in his All-Star form, averaging 20.0 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field. Lopez will be a free agent in 2018, which may force teams to shy away from any potential deal for the All-Star center, but his services would be valuable for the Bulls, who are currently in a narrow lead for the eighth seed in the playoffs.
Anthony DiMoro of Forbes listed a trade scenario for the Bulls and Nets that works under the NBA salary guidelines. A package consisting of Rondo and Taj Gibson, who is set to explore free agency this summer, could get the deal done.
"Would any team be willing to take Rondo? That remains to be seen but Chicago would be wise to look to Brooklyn for help. Offering Taj Gibson may be more appealing for any team looking to do business with Chicago," DiMoro wrote.
However, it is unlikely the Nets would want Gibson's expiring contract and a veteran point guard like Rondo, with Jeremy Lin already playing as the team's top point guard. If the Nets would look into trading Lopez, it would probably for young talents and picks to help in the team's rebuild.
Rondo to Brooklyn may not happen anytime soon, and the Nets may not want to acquire him either. But if the Bulls could form an enticing package consisting of assets necessary for the Nets' rebuild, Chicago may find itself a trade destination for the disgruntled point guard.
Video courtesy: YouTube/DownToBuck
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