Rajon Rondo may be headed to his fifth team in three seasons.
The point guard hasn't seen the floor at all over the Chicago Bulls' last six quarters, and if the trend continues, he could force his way out. He told reporters this weekend he'd "absolutely" request a trade if coach Fred Hoiberg continues to keep him out of the rotation, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
In Saturday's 116-96 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Hoiberg opted to start Michael Carter-Williams at the one-spot and had Jerian Grant running the point off the bench, while Rondo received a DNP-CD after drawing starts in all 29 of his prior contests.
The 30-year-old informed general manager Gar Forman and executive VP John Paxson of his desire to play - in the Windy City or elsewhere - when they met following the game to discuss his future with the team. However, Johnson's sources indicated the Bulls aren't planning to trade or buy out Rondo, whom they signed this summer to a two-year deal worth $27 million.
The veteran guard endured a tension-filled stint with the Sacramento Kings last season, and had a public falling-out with coach Rick Carlisle on the Dallas Mavericks the year before. This time around, he vowed to stay professional.
Despite benching Rondo and telling him he's looked slow in recent contests, Hoiberg reportedly doesn't have a problem with the four-time All-Star, and may insert him into the second unit. If the former NBA champion is still out of the rotation ahead of February's trade deadline, though, the Bulls are expected to attempt to move him.
