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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Phoenix Suns

By Akash Anavarathan

Jan 24, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Eric Bledsoe (2) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Eric Bledsoe (2) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rajon Rondo
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) controls the ball during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Rajon Rondo, PG, Chicago Bulls

Now, now, if you’re a Suns’ fan, don’t get mad with me just yet. The Phoenix Suns have a lot of ball-dominant point guards that are looking to score first. Look at Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight. Bledsoe is scoring 21 points every night, but is only dishing out 6.3 assists. Knight is far worse, only accounting for 2.4 assists.

The Suns need someone else to control the ball and create offense, so that it allows Bledsoe, Knight and Booker to play more off-ball. Late in the season with the Bulls, Rajon Rondo seemed to breathe new life into his career and revive it. Rondo had been involved in some leadership and locker-room chemistry issues mid-season, but it seemed like the Bulls had it all figured out.

At 30 years old, Rondo averaged 7.8 points and 6.7 assists per game. He really came alive in the playoffs, when Chicago was up 2-0 against No. 1 seeded Boston, before he broke his thumb. Rondo found himself playing really well in Sacramento two seasons ago, averaging 11.7 assists per game, tying his career-high.

The Suns would love to have that version of Rajon Rondo. They could use a pass-first point guard who can distribute to the array of scorers in Phoenix. With Bledsoe, Booker and Knight, all three are looking to put the ball in the basket and what better way than to have Rondo assist them.

Rondo can be a locker-room issue, but with strong veteran leadership, that’s likely not going to be much of an issue. McDonough should definitely look into signing Rondo this offseason, regardless of what kind of backlash it would invite.

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