storyteller
Veteran
2 seasons ago, players shot only 1% below their average. Last season, they shot 1.7 above their average, and this season they're shooting 1.4% above their average. Average rebounder. Good shooter (Rondo shoots 47% for his career and 45% now). In light of this, 18 mill for him seems like a waste of cap room. I'd rather give that kind of change to Rondo for passing, defense (he's a much better defender than he looks this season, which is still better than Conley looks defensively this season), rebounding, and scoring. People say he can't shoot, but he shoots better than Conley and I think his fg% would increase even more in the Triangle because he's a penetrating pg that is a threat to finish. What is your take on this?
That's a fair debate, both bring different values to a team and my choice would come down to what contract they're each willing to take. If Conley wants the max, Rondo all the way but if Rondo wants a long term deal for a big chunk of money, I may not want to risk that either. Comparing them as shooters, Rondo is a better shooter close and Conley wins as you go further out. Rondo is lights out within 10 feet but falls off pretty badly after that point. Conley's percentages from 10 feet and further really have a nice edge (basketball reference has shooting numbers that you can use to spot check and compare both frequency and accuracy from different distances). The other questions for Rondo come down to attitude, which I don't have a problem with but a lot of people do (he really did quit on the Mavs mid playoff series last year) and durability. Conley hasn't played less than 2000 minutes in a season since his rookie year, Rondo had been under 2000 minutes in a season for the three seasons prior to last and barely made it above that last season (2018 minutes).
So those are the main concerns with Rondo. But I would DEFINITELY prefer Rondo for the right contract. It would have to be short term because of the durability issues and it would have to be reasonable. So Rondo at 2 years for 11 million a season would be a pretty cool place holder while Grant develops and find a long term guy. Now if his price creeps high and he wants more year, I probably take my chances giving Conley more dough since he's more reliably healthy and shoots better from range. Rondo brings an intensity and IQ that I REALLY like for our locker room (as opposed to people who think he's too combustible). I just wouldn't want to tie up long term cash on him because of his previous injuries and lack of quality ranged shooting. Conley for 3 or 4 at 18 million is a preferred option for me to Rondo for the same span at 15...but Rondo for 11 or 12 million a couple of years is a better investment than anything I could see Conley accepting.