Knicks Rumors: Rajon Rondo, New York Reportedly Still Have 'Mutual Interest'

Rajon Rondo remains available on the free-agent market, and Ian Begley of ESPN.com reported Sunday there is "mutual interest" between the veteran point guard and the New York Knicks.

Begley added:

"Both sides are in touch as the Knicks continue to search for a veteran point guard. Rondo is likely one of several guards they are considering. New York has less than $2 million in cap space and a $4.3 million exception to offer free agents at the moment. But the club may create cap space via trade; the Knicks remain interested in trading Carmelo Anthony. There isn't unanimous support in the organization for signing Rondo. But it's worth noting that young players in Sacramento and Chicago have raved about Rondo's mentorship and his ability to assist with player development. The Knicks are looking for a mentor to rookie Frank Ntilikina."

Rondo, 31, had an up and down regular season with the Chicago Bulls in 2016-17, averaging 7.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. In January, he called out Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler on Instagram after the duo publicly questioned the effort of the other players on the roster.

All seemed well come the postseason, however, when Rondo was in superb form, averaging 11.5 points, 10.0 assists and 8.5 rebounds in two games as the Bulls took a 2-0 lead on the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

He broke his thumb and missed the rest of the series, however, and the Celtics won four straight games to end Chicago's season.

Once the Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves and received young point guard Kris Dunn in return—and since they also have Cameron Payne—it became clear Rondo would not remain on the roster.

The Knicks, meanwhile, have been linked to Rondo during their search to add a veteran point guard. He could serve as a mentor to a young backcourt that includes Ntilikina and recent signee Tim Hardaway Jr., as New York looks to be building around youth and superstar center Kristaps Porzingis.