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NBA: Rajon Rondo’s Most Ideal Free Agency Destinations

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 23, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 28: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles down the court during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 28, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 28: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles down the court during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 28, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are in desperate need of a massive improvement at point guard. Thus, it stands to reason that the team could be open to bringing Rajon Rondo, who’s close friends with Carmelo Anthony, onboard for the 2016-17 season.

The Triangle Offense may not be the best fit for a point guard who struggles to shoot and needs the ball in his hands, but Rondo told Marc Berman of The New York Post that he believes he can thrive in it.

"“I had a comment earlier about it, but if I put my mind at it, I think I can be good at anything,” Rondo told The Post. “The Lakers have proven you can have success,” Rondo said. “Even go back to the old Bulls. I think it’s about personnel and it’s about having the right guys. You need guys with a high IQ, who really know the game well to break down film and become great at it.”"

The system works for intelligent players, and there’s no denying that Rondo’s basketball IQ is through the roof.

Structurally, it’s hard to be excited about the possibility of Rondo becoming a corner 3 specialist in an offense that generally strips ball-dominant players of their responsibilities. It’s worth noting, however, that he made 26 corner 3s on 43.3 percent shooting in 2015-16.

During the turbulent 2014-15 season, he shot 36.7 percent on corner 3s—a sign that, in limited doses, he can be effective with such a shot.

No matter what system it runs, New York needs to acquire a playmaker. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with an average of 4.2 assists per game, and New York ranked No. 26 in said category on the season—a troubling reality considering it was No. 2 in passes made.

Point guards don’t generally thrive in the Triangle Offense, but adapt and survive has always been the name of the game in the NBA. Rondo could help birth a new adaptation of the Triangle.

Next: Honorable Mention, Part II