Rajon Rondo has arrived in the bubble, must finish four-day quarantine

Rajon Rondo
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 17: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Lakers have been somewhat short-handed in their return to the court, being without starting guard Avery Bradley as he opted out of the restart due to COVID-19 concerns. He will be gone until next season, while the Lakers have also been without Rajon Rondo as he fractured his thumb in one of the Lakers’ first practices within the Orlando bubble. He was immediately taken out of the bubble to have surgery and rehab at home and was given a 6-8 week timeline for a return.

We are still around week five of that timeline, so Rondo still seems to be out for most of the first-round at the very least. However, he now will at least have the opportunity for an early return as the veteran point guard is now in the bubble per head coach Frank Vogel (reported by Dave McMenamin/ESPN).

Rondo reportedly joined the team on Thursday, meaning that he would likely be able to join the team and staff on Monday, August 17th. That would be one day before the team has their first playoff game on Tuesday, against either the Portland Trail Blazers or Memphis Grizzlies following their play-in tournament.

Danny Green was asked today about Rajon Rondo’s arrival, saying the following (per Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen & Roll):

“Luckily he’s here now, hopefully we can see him out of quarantine (soon) because we need his mind and his IQ. His input is going to be huge for us whether he’s playing or not to help us advance to the next step.”

The Lakers continue to preach from staff to the players, that team needs Rondo’s contributions although his play has been average at best in his nearly 2 years of time with the Lakers. Still, if you’re going to give credit to Rondo on any end of the court it would be the offensive end. The Lakers have been bad on that end for the most part in the bubble, so hopefully he can give the team a boost on that end. He will more than likely first be seen in regular clothes on the bench, possibly filling in as assitant coach for the time being until he is fully healed.

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