Rajon Rondo Rumored to Be Interested in Joining Clippers After Chris Paul Trade

Free-agent guard Rajon Rondo has interest in joining the Los Angeles Clippers after the team traded Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets.

Alex Kennedy of Hoopshype reported the news, citing Rondo's friendship with players on the team and history with coach Doc Rivers.

Rondo, 31, spent last season with the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game as part of a crowded backcourt. The Bulls waived Rondo after failing to trade his contract before its guarantee date.

Paul's departure created a massive void at point guard, but it's one Rondo seems unlikely to fill. The Clippers' spacing is already cramped when Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan share the floor. Adding Rondo, a demonstrably bad shooter, would only make things worse.

Familiarity and passing ability might make him attractive to Rivers, but the fit is bad. The Clippers will have to play fast and run the floor with their bigs to stay competitive. Rondo is a dribble-heavy point guard who will grind the shot clock down hunting for assists—something that won't work with Griffin and Jordan together.

The Clippers already have a better point guard in place with Patrick Beverley, though they'll continue to search for one in the free-agent bargain bins. Austin Rivers might also take over more ball-handling abilities next season after finally emerging as a viable role player in 2016-17.

Rondo looked better after the All-Star break last season, but he needs a specific set of circumstances to fit. The Clippers won't provide that place.