Lakers Officially Trade Rajon Rondo To Cavaliers In Three-Team Deal With Knicks Involving Denzel Valentine
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers announced they have officially traded Rajon Rondo to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Denzel Valentine, who is being sent to the New York Knicks as a part of a three-team deal.

As a part of the team, the Lakers are acquiring the draft rights to Louis Labeyrie while the Cavaliers are acquiring the draft rights to Wang Zhelin and the Knicks are getting the draft rights to Brad Newley in addition to Valentine.

Rondo played in 18 games for the Lakers in the veteran guard’s second stint with the team. The 35-year-old averaged 3.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists over 16.1 minutes on the floor per night this season.

Before rejoining the Lakers ahead of 2021-22, Rondo spent two seasons with L.A. between 2018-2020, winning an NBA title during the 2019-20 campaign.

Here is the reason why the deal was expanded to three teams, which saves the Lakers some money in luxury taxes, via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

Trade talks between L.A. and Cleveland started at the end of 2021 after Cavaliers playmaker Ricky Rubio tore the ACL in his left knee, sidelining him until the end of the season.

The deal opens up a roster spot for the Lakers that would allow them to sign one of the players they have brought in on a 10-day deal to a permanent contract.

Stanley Johnson appears to be the main candidate to take the open spot. The 25-year-old forward averaged 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in his first five games for the Lakers. But most importantly, the Arizona alum has improved the team’s vulnerable defense ever since he made his debut for L.A. in the Christmas Day loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Johnson has been one of the six Lakers who clock in 10 minutes or more per game and have a positive +/- rating on the season.

James praises Johnson for being ‘hungry’

Even though head coach Frank Vogel has refused to commit to keeping Johnson beyond his 10-day contract, he praised the forward’s “toughness and hustle.” James had similar comments on the eight-year veteran’s time in L.A., adding he hopes Johnson will continue playing “great basketball” for the Lakers.

“He’s picked up our system really fast and part of it is because he was with South Bay [Lakers] and that gave him a cheat sheet, which we needed,” James said of Johnson. “And he brought in some toughness at the wing position and also some defensive toughness as well.

“That’s where we hang our hats at over the last three years, the defensive side of the floor. He’s a guy that’s hungry, obviously he’s trying to earn a roster spot, you could tell he’s hungry and it’s been great basketball since the Christmas Day game. The road trip, Houston, Memphis and tonight once again, and hopefully it continues.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers News: D’Angelo Russell Speaks On Playing Despite Grandmother’s Passing

After hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell was mobbed by his teammates…

Lakers News: Frank Vogel Discusses Frustrations Of Falling To 0-2

It was another rough night for the Los Angeles Lakers as they fell to the Phoenix Suns, 115-105, to drop to 0-2 on the season…

Stern Gives NBA Players Take it or Leave it Offer

After an eight and a half hour negotiating session that extended from…

Lakers Video: Shaquille O’Neal Calls He And Kobe Bryant Most Dominant Duo In Team History

When it comes to the greatest one-two punches in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers…