Update: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rajon Rondo is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Lakers on Tuesday. Rondo will sign for the veteran minimum, giving up that much money on his previous salary in order to be bought out of his contract by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Original Story Follows:
It appears the Los Angeles Lakers will have their third point guard soon. Former Lakers guard Rajon Rondo is expected to be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies after a trade that sent him there from the Clippers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. According to Charania, the Lakers are the “frontrunners” to sign the two-time NBA champion.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the report.
Rondo spent two seasons with the Lakers, playing a key role in the team’s championship run in 2020 before signing with the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently being traded to the Clippers. Rondo was not able to replicate the same success with the Lakers’ cross-town rival, missing six games due to a coach’s decision.
The Lakers have reportedly been in the market for a third point guard behind Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Nunn. Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison, and Mike James have all reportedly worked out for the team.
If the Lakers do sign Rondo, they will have 13 guaranteed contracts on the roster with the expectation that they will carry 14 players into the season, with one spot remaining.
In the 2019-20 season, Rondo averaged 7.1 points and five assists per game with the Lakers. In the postseason, he contributed 8.9 points and 6.6 assists while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc.
