This NBA Player Could Be On Their Way To The Hall-Of-Fame

Rajon Rondo's career performances have earned him a spot in the Hall-of-Fame

After 16 years in the NBA, point guard Rajon Rondo announced his retirement via All The Smoke podcast. Although it takes up to three full years to become eligible for a Hall-of-Fame induction, many have wondered if he even qualifies for a spot.

His final career stats might not stand out or support a first-ballot initiation, but he definitely deserves a place in The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

After getting selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 21st overall pick in the 2006 draft, Rondo was sent to the Boston Celtics, where he played his first nine seasons. He didn’t have a notable beginning campaign, though, as he averaged just 6.4 points and 3.8 assists in 78 games played.

However, his succeeding six years were different. In those six years combined, he averaged 12.0 points per contest, along with 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals.

The 2007-08 season was special, though, as he won his first of two NBA championships. He contributed to that title in his own way, logging in averages of 10.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals. His highlight performance came in Game 6 of the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. During that game, he recorded 21 points, seven rebounds, 16 assists, a playoff career-high six steals and two blocks.

Rondo’s best campaign was arguably the 2009-10 season. That year, he recorded 13.7 points a game, as well as 9.8 assists and a league-leading 2.3 steals. Those numbers were good enough to earn himself his first All-Star selection. At the end of the year, he made the All-Defensive First Team (first of two consecutive selections) while finishing fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year award voting.

He continued to excel for the remainder of his tenure in Boston. Not only did he score at a decent level but he took his playmaking skills up a rank. From the 2010-11 season to 2012-13, he averaged 11.2, 11.7 and 11.1 assists, respectively. He even led the NBA in assists with the latter two averages.

Along with those numbers, Rondo collected numerous accolades. He was a three-time All-Star who made the NBA All-Defensive First Team, NBA All-Defensive Second Team, All-NBA Third Team and, once again, finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

After his run with the Celtics, he played for multiple franchises. Despite that, he was still a great point guard, particularly throughout the 2015-16 season with the Sacramento Kings. During that year, he played 72 games while logging in 11.9 points and a NBA-leading 11.7 assists per game.

With the numbers he put up and the awards he collected throughout his career, Rondo deserves a spot in the Hall-of-Fame.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Fansided’s Wiz of Awes. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson, Instagram @ckenzynelson, and Threads @ckenzynelson