When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Rajon Rondo to a one-year deal in free agency, there was speculation that the former NBA champion would take over the starting point guard position from incumbent Lonzo Ball. After all, Rondo was a proven veteran with the reputation as an elite point guard even if he no longer plays at the level he used to.
The Lakers have been mostly mum on the subject but according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, they seem to be planning on a starting lineup with Rondo at the forefront at least to start training camp (h/t Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll):
Lakers coach Luke Walton told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the plan is to start Rajon Rondo at point guard as Ball makes his way back from his mid-July surgery.
This seems to be a training camp decision only as the Lakers take the cautious approach with Ball who was recently cleared to resume all basketball activities but is till being held out of five-on-five drills and scrimmages.
That said, seeing Rondo with the starters will give head coach Luke Walton a look at how his lineups and rotations can work and it could give the veteran the early lead on securing the role to start the year.
Rondo, for his part, has said all the right things as he has taken a mentorship role with Ball. At media day, the former New Orleans Pelican said that he would be fine with any role Walton gives him, including playing off the bench. Walton, meanwhile, insisted that he was in no rush to decide on a rotation just yet.
