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Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Rajon Rondo

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 2: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo #9 of the Chicago Bulls talk during the first quarter at TD Garden on November 2, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 2: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo #9 of the Chicago Bulls talk during the first quarter at TD Garden on November 2, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates his basket in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates his basket in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Pro: Helping Kristaps Porzingis

As previously alluded to, Rajon Rondo is one of the greatest facilitators in NBA history. He’s not only accumulated high assist totals, but he’s done so on championship-caliber teams that have made deep postseason runs.

While that may or may not be helpful to everyone on the roster, there’s no question that one specific player would benefit from Rondo’s presence: Kristaps Porzingis.

It’s no secret that Porzingis was selected at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft to become the Knicks’ franchise player. What’s been delayed, however, has been his development into New York’s No. 1 scoring option.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, the Knicks plan to expose Porzingis to that role and responsibility in 2017-18.

"“That’s his next steps in his growths as a player, to be able to handle some of that,” Hornacek said Saturday. “He’s going to have to take that next step of taking over. I think he’s probably ready for that.”"

If the Knicks act upon that vision, then Porzingis is going to need a point guard who can alleviate some pressure.

Porzingis is as skilled as any big man ever has been, but he’s also been somewhat sheltered offensively. He was third on the Knicks in field goal attempts per game in 2016-17, and may now be tasked with making the jump to No. 1.

No free agent point guard would alleviate more pressure from Porzingis than the best facilitator on the open market: Rondo.