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Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo should be a prime free agent target

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives towards the basket in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives towards the basket in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Superstars are not the only free agents the Los Angeles Lakers are going to pursue this summer. Rajon Rondo should be a prime target for the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to make headlines this summer, at least that is how it has built up over the last year.

The rumors around Paul George heading to the Lakers have died down as there is a possibility that he may re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder instead. This has led to doubt in LeBron James‘ camp that James will actually join him on the Los Angeles Lakers.

James, on the other hand, is getting closer and closer to becoming a Laker. Right now, the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the prime candidates, and are likely the only candidates, to sign LeBron James.

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Regardless of what happens with James and George, the Los Angeles Lakers need to fill out their roster this offseason. One of the team’s needs is a proper backup point guard.

The Lakers do have Josh Hart in the second unit, but he serves the combo guard role better and will be supplying depth at shooting guard as well. This leaves Tyler Ennis, who has not been great, as the primary backup point guard.

Enter Rajon Rondo.

Rajon Rondo is the perfect free agent candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers to consider, especially if the team is going after LeBron James.

James has always had that veteran guard coming off the bench to supply relief in big moments. Rondo lives in big moments as he always kicks it into a new gear once the postseason starts. Even better, though, Rondo is a veteran guard that the Lakers can add to the bench for a reasonable price.

Signing Rondo will not require sacrificing a ton of cap space. Last season, Rondo made just $3.3 million. A veteran guard for under $5 million? That is a steal.

Also playing a huge factor would be Rondo’s likely relationship with sophomore point guard Lonzo Ball. Ball is very similar to Rondo, a tall athletic point guard that is a pretty good defender who can rebound and facilitate but sometimes struggles to stretch the floor.

Rondo and Ball primarily score by getting to the rim. However, Ball’s three-point shot has the potential to be better than Rondo’s, which makes Ball’s ceiling higher than Rondo ever was.

But still, Rondo has experience in this league and has won championships. He knows what it takes to win in the NBA. Having Rondo behind Ball, teaching him the ropes how to be a successful point guard, is huge.

Even if the Lakers go out and get Paul George Rondo would still play a big role. Rondo knows exactly what it is like to be a point guard and run the offense on a team with stars and can teach Ball how to thrive in those situations.

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Rajon Rondo averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Pelicans. That alone is worth the price of admission. With all the added benefits he brings to the Los Angeles Lakers, signing Rondo is a no-brainer.

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