Rajon Rondo is headed to the new Lakers dynasty. The former Celtics, Mavericks, Bulls, and Pelicans point guard will join his 5th new team with the Lakers. Rondo will now enter a weird Lakers roster that has now added JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson in the last day. Rondo will sign a deal for one-year worth $9 million for the upcoming season.
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports was the first to report the news:
Sources: Rajon Rondo is signing a one-year, $9M deal with Lakers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2018
Rondo, 32, averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game last season with New Orleans. He’s also improved his shooting 46.8 percent a year ago. The former Kentucky product has always been known as a great passer and a plus defender. This does put a weird spin in terms of roster construction. Is Rondo a new Lonzo mentor or is he taking his job for an eventual trade?
The reason this deal was able to go through is because the Lakers renounced the restricted right for Julius Randle. The former 7th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft will now be an unrestricted free agent. Randle was never a great fit with LeBron as a bull in a china shop that can’t really shoot or defend at a high level. Plus, LeBron hasn’t loved playing with young players. It’s why old vets like Stephenson, McGee, and Rondo have been brought to town.
