Lakers Rumors: Rajon Rondo Would Thrive in Los Angeles
Rajon Rondo trade rumors are going to be an inescapable reality for the Boston Celtics all season, especially after they drafted potential replacement Marcus Smart, but now the Los Angeles Lakers are involved.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated passed along the latest:
"There is one player who makes sense in LA next season: Rajon Rondo. Several rival executives believe the Lakers will make a strong run at Rondo next summer, and it’s easy to see why. Rondo is young (28), plays a critical position and shares the same win-at-all-bleeping-cost attitude as Bryant.
"
On the surface, Los Angeles’ interest in Rondo makes sense. Both Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin come off the books in the offseason, so there is a need at that position and money available.
It’s not just about positional need, though. Rondo would thrive in a Lakers uniform and make them an instant playoff contender in a loaded Western Conference, even if they were still an additional piece or two away from challenging for any type of championship.
That attitude pairing with Kobe Bryant that Mannix mentioned is fascinating. Bryant is praised for his competitiveness all the time, which may or may not have scared away potential Lakers targets in years past, and it would be interesting to see the Black Mamba paired with someone of a similar nature.
If nothing else, Los Angeles would pick up a few additional wins during the middle of the season when the schedule drags a bit based on motivation alone.
Lakers coach Byron Scott alluded to that competitive fire in Bryant in a recent quote, via Lakers Nation:
Basketball-wise, Rondo is a pass-first point guard, while Bryant is certainly a shoot-first shooting guard. Rondo’s lightning speed helps him get out in transition and beat defenders off the dribble, which forces help to collapse. That would open Bryant up for looks from all over the floor.
Bryant isn’t the only player on the Lakers roster who would benefit from having a distributor like Rondo controlling the ball.
Julius Randle will be back next year and ideally develop into a viable weapon, much like fellow Kentucky Wildcat Nerlens Noel is doing in Philadelphia after missing his rookie season with an ACL injury. Randle could work in pick-and-rolls with Rondo to open up looks or rely on Rondo’s penetration to force help from the low block.
As ESPN Stats & Info noted, Rondo does a little bit of everything on the floor, even with young and unproven teammates in Boston:
Those numbers would be even better with Bryant next to him instead of Jared Sullinger, Jeff Green and the rest of the Celtics.
Then there is the possibility that a Rondo and Bryant pairing would attract other elite talent to Los Angeles.
Mannix pointed out that the Lakers could have around $30 million in cap space during the offseason, and players like Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson, Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol could be available.
While Jackson wouldn’t make much sense if the team did get Rondo, Los Angeles grabbing an up-and-coming big man like Monroe would be a problem for the rest of the West. A starting five that included Rondo, Bryant, Monroe and a healthy Randle is tantalizing, especially since Rondo is the type of point guard who is always looking to get his teammates involved by setting them up in position to score.
Bryant, Monroe and Randle can only dream of the types of looks that Rondo could create for them.
Boston fans should not start panicking about the potential of their point guard playing for the historically hated Lakers, though. Ben Rohrbach of WEEI 93.7 FM noted that it is a long shot at best for the struggling Purple and Gold:
"However, Rondo can see the Lakers’ long-term prospects just as well as everybody else in basketball circles, and the outlook in Boston seems rosier. He knows what becomes of aging legends on proud franchises. After all, the article in which Mannix cites front office sources focuses instead on the potential of the Lakers trading Bryant.
Take a deep breath, Celtics fans. This isn’t Rondo’s first rumored departure from Boton, and it won’t be the last.
"
For now, Lakers fans can only play the what-if game when it comes to Rondo and Bryant running in the open floor. Those wishes are all they have this year.
Follow me on Twitter:
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
