For the past couple of seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Rajon Rondo. After the franchise did not want to give up Julius Randle or a first round pick, the Boston Celtics sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. During his short time in Dallas, Rondo clashed with head coach Rick Carlisle which resulted in the team ruling him out with a ‘back injury’ in the playoffs.
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
After the disastrous stint with the Mavericks, Rondo’s stock has plummeted after reports that he was seeking a max contract in free agency. While the Lakers are reported to be ‘somewhat torn internally’ about Rondo now, the Sacramento Kings could be a darkhorse location according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
A darkhorse location for Rajon Rondo in free agency is Sacramento, where the Kings are entering a pivotal year in their franchise and could use a bona fide point guard. Darren Collison, coming off hip surgery, is the team’s scheduled starter for next season. Rondo, who didn’t appear interested in going to the Kings a few years ago, could use the club as a springboard to perhaps a larger contract if he signs a one-year deal. Rondo is also close friends with Kings forward Rudy Gay.
While Kobe Bryant has publicly endorsed the former All-Star and even had breakfast with him in Boston, the emergence of Jordan Clarkson may have changed the team’s opinion of Rondo. Although the Lakers failed to make the playoffs this past season, Clarkson was one of the few bright spots and was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First team despite being the 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
While Rondo’s name will continue to be linked to the Lakers as free agency nears, the Lakers could potentially use their second overall pick in this year’s draft to select another point guard to pair with Clarkson in Emmanuel Mudiay (China) or D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State).
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