Paxson: 'Really good chance' Bulls bring Rondo back

It appears likely Rajon Rondo will remain a member of the Chicago Bulls for next season.

Bulls president John Paxson revealed Wednesday that Chicago has every intention of exercising Rondo's $13.4-million option this summer, believing the 31-year-old will be instrumental in mentoring some of the team's younger players in 2017-18.

"We're going to make those decisions down the road, but there's a good chance, a really good chance, that we'll bring Rajon back," Paxson told ESPN's Nick Friedell. "And for these reasons: As we get younger, it's still really important to have quality veterans around your young players. And to a man, our young people love Rajon. He was great in the locker room, he was great off the court with these guys."

The 6-foot-1 point guard endured an up-and-down season during his first year in Chicago, going back and forth between starting games and coming off the bench throughout much of the regular season. After struggling for long stretches earlier in the year, Rondo briefly came alive in the playoffs before a thumb injury ended his campaign.

Rondo averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from deep in 69 contests for Chicago this season.