2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Rajon Rondo: 1 year, $3.3 million (New Orleans Pelicans)
Free agent Rajon Rondo has reached agreement on a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 15, 2017
Sources: Free agent Rajon Rondo has signed his one-year deal with New Orleans for $3.3M.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2017
After trading Tim Frazier to the Washington Wizards for a second round draft pick, the New Orleans Pelicans needed a more stable backup point guard than rookie Frank Jackson. To that end, landing Rajon Rondo on a one-year contract isn’t a bad deal.
Though Rondo has built up a negative reputation for himself over the years, and though he’s no longer the player he once was, the former All-Star point guard was lauded for his veteran influence on a young Chicago Bulls locker room and showed up in a big way during their first round playoff appearance.
The parameters of the deal don’t really matter, but with NOLA strapped for cap space, a $3.3 million deal is tremendous value. The 7.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game he posted last year will be a welcome addition to the bench of a playoff hopeful team…not to mention his relationship with DeMarcus Cousins being a bonus when it comes time for free agency next summer.
Bourguet Grade: A-