5 candidates the Wizards should definitely consider in assistant coaching role

No. 3 Rajon Rondo

After completely missing out on the 2022-’23 NBA season and not getting a ton of traction in free agency rumors again this summer, it may be time for Rajon Rondo to call it a career and move on to something else. Coaching seems like the logical next step for the two-time champion.

During his prime with the Boston Celtics, Rondo was one of the best point guards in the league. He was easily one of the best playmakers of his era, up there with Chris Paul and LeBron James in that category. On top of this, he was an elite defender and just had a natural feel for the offense.

He, alongside Kevin Garnett, were the heart and soul of the Celtics team that made two Finals and won one. It’s not hard to see him bringing the same energy and skills that made him special as a player into a coaching position.

More often than not, players looking to transition into coaching are given positions as assistant coaches before receiving the go-ahead to take the role full time. When players make the jump too quickly, it doesn’t typically end well. Steve Nash had a rough tenure with the Brooklyn Nets and Jason Kidd was far from great in his first tenure as a head coach.

Pursuing Rondo to fill in a slot on the coaching bench makes sense for all parties involved.