For the entire 2014-15 NBA season, Rajon Rondo has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers tried to trade for him earlier in the season, he was ultimately dealt to the Dallas Mavericks where he was recently ruled out indefinitely with a back injury in the NBA Playoffs.
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Heading into the off-season, Rondo will become an unrestricted free agent. While the latest report has the Lakers being the ‘only team’ willing to offer him a contract, Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding reports the franchise is torn internally about how much the former All-Star point guard can push the franchise forward:
The Lakers will have perhaps $22 million to spend this summer—and they’re somewhat torn internally how much a newly motivated Rondo, 29, might push the franchise forward.
In addition, owner Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak now have different opinions of Rondo compared to much earlier in the season:
But what should be made clear, according to team sources, is that Buss is not the believer he was earlier in the season when it comes to Rondo, and Kupchak is toting enough healthy skepticism that he sees Rondo as value only at a certain low price.
Throughout the season, there were reports of Rondo seeking a max contract in free agency. While the trade to the Mavericks was supposed to give him new life with numerous offensive weapons to cater to his pass-first mentality, Rondo ultimately struggled. However, Kobe Bryant is a big fan of Rondo’s mentality and has had high praise for him.
Heading into the off-season, the Lakers will have numerous options to improve their roster via the draft, free agency or trade. With the Lakers looking to sign a big-name player like Kevin Love, Rondo may still be an option at a lower price for the franchise.
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