Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Free Agency: Could Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook coexist on Thunder?

By Alex Mcewen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 04: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react druing an altercation in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 04: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react druing an altercation in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 4: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. E (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 4: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. E (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rajon Rondo has been called many different things true point guard, point god, coach killer, etc. With NBA Free Agency here will Thunder back up be next?

Some players age like fine wine, get better with age. While, others age like milk, they sour over time Rajon Rondo fits in the former category. Let’s not get it twisted, Rondo definitely has some baggage, as do all players. However, Rondo brings a high risk/high reward value.

Rajon Rondo spent the first 8 years of his career with the Boston Celtics. Winning a championship in 2008 as a member of the core four. The 2008 title is his only title and the most recent of the Celtics 17 championships.

Rondo has been on three teams in the last three years. Not the best track record for a veteran trying to stay in the league. After a rocky exit in Dallas Rondo had productive seasons in Sacramento, Chicago, and New Orleans.

Statline

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% eFG% FTA FT% TRB AST STL TOV PF PTS
2015-16 29 SAC 72 35.2 4.9 10.9 .454 0.9 2.4 .365 .494 2.1 .580 6.0 11.7 2.0 3.9 2.4 11.9
2016-17 30 CHI 69 26.7 3.3 8.1 .408 0.7 1.9 .376 .453 0.7 .600 5.1 6.7 1.4 2.4 2.1 7.8
2017-18 31 NOP 65 26.2 3.6 7.6 .468 0.8 2.3 .333 .518 0.7 .543 4.0 8.2 1.1 2.3 1.8 8.3
Career 779 31.8 4.4 9.5 .463 0.4 1.2 .309 .483 2.2 .604 4.8 8.5 1.7 2.9 2.2 10.5

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/25/2018

Rajon Rondo is in his 30’s, but he can still drop dimes with the same efficiency as any top guard. During the postseason Rondo registered more assists in the Pelicans nine playoff games (110) than the Thunder did as a team (98) in their six-game series with the Jazz.

With that, let’s dive into Rondo’s strengths and weaknesses.

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