New Orleans Pelicans: Josh Hart is trying to recruit an old teammate

If Josh Hart has his way, we might see an old face on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans offseason wishlist likely includes a backup veteran point guard, someone who can run the second unit, play defense and/or shoot 3-pointers.

Josh Hart has an idea of who that player should be.

He was recently on Twitter, advocating that the Pelicans bring back a familiar face in free agency, none other than Rajon Rondo.

New Orleans Pelicans: Josh Hart wants Rajon Rondo back in New Orleans.

Hart might actually be onto something here, as Rondo does have many of the qualities the Pelicans are looking for in a backup point guard.

First off, Rondo is still a great defender, as he showed in the NBA Finals. Even at age 33, Rondo can still be a disruptive force on both ends of the floor.

He took over several playoff games for short bursts, showing that “Playoff Rondo” (god I hate that) is still a thing and that he can still dominate when he needs to.

Rondo announced that he would not exercise his player option for around $2.6 million, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent. Rondo obviously believes he can get more money with the Lakers or some other team and he is probably right.

After showing that he can still get it down at a high level, there will be teams looking for Rondo’s services and the New Orleans Pelicans could be one of them.

Rondo fits nicely as a second unit leader and mentor to young guards Lonzo Ball and Frank Jackson if he is still on the team.

He also brings a defensive identity that the Pelicans currently lack. He and Jrue Holiday could form an elite defensive backcourt with the second unit.

Rajon Rondo may not be the best answer for the Pelicans, as he is a veteran who is probably going to chase another ring and may not want to join a young, ascending team, but there is a basketball fit.

Josh Hart is one of many of Rondo’s former teammates who would like to play with him again and it will be interesting to see if the Pelicans try to make it happen.