Rose is just not that good anymore... He scored his second highest in his career after his MVP season, but his defense was atrociously and historically bad... I remember reading the Knicks were 9 points better on defense when he was off the floor.. When you consider the terrible miscue of a roster they had last year, it should speak volumes.
Rondo has proven that he is a playoff player, and can show up when he needs to. I don't think he really fit well in the Mavericks system. Mainly, because he was ball dominant point guard that needed players that can catch and shoot effectively and run in transition.
TP~ I think Rondo > Rose
But~
Didn't Rose have one of his best FG% last year at 18 points a game. Seems like he improved from 2016. Still not his old self....but not bad....Except on D like you mentioned.
There are a lot of issues with Rose. For one, he still thinks he is a big time star (unless he has been dramatically humbled in the last 3 months). He spoke of the Knicks being a superteam when he went there last year (cause him and Anthony were superstars in his eyes). I also believe he made some comments over the course of the season of still viewing himself as an upper level player (but tough to find now buried in free agency rumors). As others have mentioned he is really bad at defense. He has never been good, but last year he was Okafor bad.
Secondly, if he signs on a one year deal for low money is he going to really be happy with a 20 minute per game role (which is what the Cavs would need him to do) and miss out on more money next year? That would be bizarre for a guy that has not been able to take advantage of the cap boom to be torpedoing his value for the sake of a championship run at 28.
Thirdly, he is a god awful shooter. Do people realize Rajon "can't shoot" Rondo is world's better at shooting from 3 than Rose? Rose the last 3 years 3 point shooting percentage: 28%, 29% and 21%. Rajon Rondo has actually evolved his game: 35%, 36%, 38%
So are we asking if a guy that has viewed himself as a star, is still in his age prime on a small one year contract and can't shoot will thrive playing alongside two ball dominant players that thrive driving and dishing? I mean could this be any more set up for failure?