The Chicago Bulls announced this afternoon the release of guards Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan. This brings an end to the Rondo experiment in Chicago.
ESPN’s Marc Stein and CSN Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill tweeted the news:
The Bulls just announced the release of Rajon Rondo …
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2017
The Bulls officially announce the release of Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 30, 2017
Chicago Bulls Release Rajon Rondo
This marks the end of a tumultuous year in Chicago for Rondo, who was inconsistent throughout the previous season. Rondo also had friction with then team leaders Jimmy Butler (now with the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Dwyane Wade.
Rajon Rondo made this post on Instagram, attacking the leadership of Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler. pic.twitter.com/zS0GERuWWS
— Sportando (@Sportando) January 26, 2017
After that inferno on Instagram, Wade addressed the situation with the following response:
“I’m a professional. I have a professional relationship with anybody who I need to and I have to. I have no problem,” Wade said. “I’ve been a big supporter with Rondo out in the public eye with what he has been dealing with being taken out of the starting lineup and how he has handled it. I have no issues, no problems with Rondo at all.”
Butler’s response was also similar. He said: “I don’t have anything negative to say to [Rondo]. You spoke your mind. I spoke my mind. Move on.”
Rondo’s Future
Now 30 years old, Rondo has played on four teams over the past four seasons. Rondo averaged his worst output of his career in all major categories last season. Due to a limited shooting range and below average free throw shooting percentage, as well as a below average player efficiency rating of 13.6 (the NBA average is 15), questions will arise as to where Rondo will go next. Some loud rumblings about Rondo’s attitude being an issue have also proved unhelpful.
What’s Next for Canaan
In his lone season with the Bulls, Canaan (6’0″, 201 lbs) appeared in 39 games, starting none of them. He had a poor field goal percentage, though he shot 90.9 percent from the charity stripe. Canaan made his first career postseason appearance on April 23 against the Boston Celtics as well as his first career playoff start on April 26. After being drafted by the Houston Rockets in the second round, Canaan has played for three teams in three years.
Free agency officially begins July 1 at midnight.
Main Photo:
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 29: Rajon Rondo (9) of Chicago Bulls handles the ball during an NBA game between Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers on October 29, 2016 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
