The Chicago Bulls will likely pick up their $13.4 million option on the contract of Rajon Rondo this offseason.

Rondo appeared to have no future with the Bulls during the middle of the season but he proved to be invaluable over the final stretch of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs.

"There's a really good chance that we bring Rajon back and for these reasons: As we get younger, it's still really important to have quality veterans around your young players," said John Paxson. "To a man, our young people loved Rajon. He was great in the locker room. He was great off the court with these guys. He took them under his wing in a lot of ways, and he was responsible for a lot of the good things that came from them. We have a lot of respect for Rajon, especially how he believes in the game. He used to drag guys into the weight room, and he held them accountable in a lot of ways. We really take a lot from him, and we're looking forward to sitting down with him this week."