Account
Rajon Rondo 'Excited' to Help Lonzo Ball, Expects LeBron James' Lakers to Win
July 6, 2018
Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and expressed optimism about the direction of the franchise after it added prized free agent LeBron James.
"I mean, I think you put any team any group of players around LeBron James as he's done [eight] straight times, he's going to the Finals," Rondo told reporters. "Obviously, my expectations are the exact same things."
The four-time NBA All-Star also discussed working with 20-year-old point guard Lonzo Ball.
"I'm excited to get a player at that age and try to help him as much as I can, as far as understanding the game and getting his game up to speed at a high level," he said.
The Lakers provided additional comments from Rondo, who said Ball's basketball IQ is "one of the best I've ever seen" for a player his age:
Rondo joined Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee as the Lakers' depth additions after James decided to end his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers to head for L.A., according to Rohan Nadkarni of SI.com.
The 32-year-old Kentucky native spent the 2017-18 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists and 1.1 steals across 65 appearances. He ranked 30th among point guards in player efficiency rating (15.28), per ESPN.com.
He's also spent time with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls since going in the first round of the 2006 draft.
Now Rondo, who won an NBA title in 2008 when the Celtics defeated the Lakers, will hope to play a role as the storied organization attempts to push back toward title contention under James' leadership.
Ball figures to see a majority of the playing time at the point, but Rondo should see consistent minutes off the bench and serve in a mentor role for the second overall pick in the 2017 draft.