The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Tuesday making it the first move by the team in NBA free agency this summer. Although bringing on Caldwell-Pope is the biggest move the team will do in free agency, the Lakers aren’t done yet as they plan to sign a backup point guard.
Over the past few weeks, veteran Rajon Rondo has been in contact with the Lakers and has been rumored to have serious interest in signing with the team. That interest is mutual, but Magic Johnson and company continue to weigh their options.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Lakers continue to debate whether Rondo is their man to backup rookie Lonzo Ball next season:
The Lakers are still debating on what to do with their backup point guard spot after meeting with Rajon Rondo this week. (Cont'd)
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 12, 2017
Along with Rondo being an option in free agency, the Lakers brass are also considering a few others, via Shelburne:
Lakers also weighing whether to sign a younger player like Tyler Ennis, Ian Clark or Isaiah Canaan in that backup PG guard role.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 12, 2017
After being traded to the Lakers by the Houston Rockets, Tyler Ennis made an impression in his short time in Los Angeles. Ennis proved to be a solid option off the bench for head coach Luke Walton and is said to be interested in returning to the team.
As for Ian Clark and Isaiah Canaan, both players are younger options to Rondo along with Ennis. If a deal can’t be worked out with Rondo, who the team may view as an ideal mentor for Ball, those three players are decent options for Los Angeles.
At 25, Clark is coming off a career year with the Golden State Warriors. The Belmont product played 14.8 minutes per game last season averaging 6.8 points while shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Canaan, also 25, played 39 games for the Chicago Bulls last season averaging 4.6 points per game in 15.2 minutes per contest. Canaan was released by the Bulls along with Rondo back in June.