Hoops Habit
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: 5 Biggest Offseason Questions

By James D. Tillman III

Jan 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during a time out against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Chicago defeated Toronto 115-113. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during a time out against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Chicago defeated Toronto 115-113. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Rajon Rondo: Cancer Or Cure For Bulls As Starting PG?

Regardless of what side you stand on in terms of Derrick Rose being traded, it became obvious that the two sides were going to eventually part ways at some point. Of course, the argument could be made that the Bulls could have gotten more for Rose in return, but that is a story for another day I suppose.

To fill the void created by sending Rose to the New York Knicks, the Bulls signed Rajon Rondo to a two-year deal worth $28 million, with the second year being partially guaranteed.

From the positive side of things, Rondo averaged a double-double last season, with 11.9 points and a league-leading 11.7 assists to go along with six rebounds per contest. Along with that, his ability to get a team into its offense makes him a perfect fit in Hoiberg’s pace-and-space system.

On the other side of the equation, Rondo has had his fare share of problems with his coaches. For example, in his short stint with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2014-15 campaign, Rondo and Rick Carlisle had heated exchanges on more than one occasion, including one February regular season game against the Toronto Raptors:

While the sides managed to move past that confrontation, another exchange between the two during the postseason eventually led to Rondo’s departure.

Last year with the Sacramento Kings, it was more of the same, as it was was reported that the relationship between Rondo and George Karl was somewhat rocky.

In spite of their differences, though, Karl referred to his former point guard as coachable and one of the most intelligent people and also basketball people, per CSNChicago.com. Karl also went on to say that the only issues he had with Rondo were from a defensive standpoint.

Being that John Paxson emphasized the importance of guards being able to defend at the team’s postseason press conference, it is interesting that the Bulls opted to bring in a player who often shows questionable judgment at that end of the floor.

With that in mind, will one of the most gifted passers of this generation help or hinder the Bulls’ progression? Regardless of which direction this story goes, it will be interesting to see how this dynamic unfolds.

Next: No. 3

Home/Chicago Bulls