Rajon Rondo's days of being a starter with the Chicago Bulls appear to be over for good, but that doesn't mean head coach Fred Hoiberg doesn't see value in using the 30-year-old point guard in another role - even coming off Rondo's recent benching where he didn't see the floor at all for five games in a row.
Hoiberg told reporters Thursday morning that he wants Rondo be the "leader of that second unit," beginning against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell.
Chicago went a respectable 3-2 with former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams starting in Rondo's place, although the team performed significantly better when he wasn't in the game, scoring 15.2 points per 100 possessions more when he sat while allowing 12.2 fewer points on defense.
What's helped the Bulls during that stretch is how well Rondo handled the demotion, with both Hoiberg and teammate Dwyane Wade praising his maturity and understanding of the situation, especially for a player who's so accustomed to being a starter (621 of 675 career outings).
What Rondo expected upon signing with the organization is drastically different from his reality at the halfway point of the season, a sentiment he's expressed openly. He even proclaimed that he would demand a trade out of town if Hoiberg elected not to play him, but, as was the case Tuesday, he'll still see his fair share of playing time coming off the pine.
In 27 minutes of action, Rondo scored 12 points on 13 shot attempts, grabbed four boards, and dished out six assists in a two-point loss to the Washington Wizards.
Chicago's bench mob ranks 24th in scoring at just 30.6 points per game, and 28th in assists (5.1). Rondo should help improve both of those areas, surrounded by shooters like Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic whom he can create open looks for as a playmaker. If he does that successfully, there won't be any reason for Hoiberg to remove him from the rotation again.
