Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo’s potential future with buyout options
By Zane Harris
Rajon Rondo is in his second season in the purple and gold and with recent reports, we might start seeing a lot less of Rondo on the Los Angeles Lakers.
With recent reports stating that the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be signing a guard from waivers, it has been speculated that Rajon Rondo could be a candidate to be waived to make roster space, or at least significantly lose minutes.
Is that the right move for Rob Pelinka and company to make? I will be making the case about why and why not Rondo should be the waived player. Also, I will be examining some of the effects that would hypothetically happen in each scenario.
If Pelinka were to keep Rondo on the team, he could easily release a guard who contributes less on a game-to-game basis, like Quinn Cook or Troy Daniels. This would cause much less outrage in the locker room, and would relatively keep the chemistry between the team at a healthy level.
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However, with Rondo having close relationships with Anthony Davis, Demarcus Cousins and being extremely well-respected in the locker room by even LeBron James for being an accomplished veteran if he were to be waived his presence and leadership would be greatly missed.
On top of this, he brings playoff experience that will be essential for the deep playoff run that the Lakers are striving for. Rondo played better in his last two playoff appearances with the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans than he did in the regular season.
This season for the Lakers he has brought a much improved three-point shot compared to last year, along with his iconic playmaking ability. If Rondo were to be the waived player then his veteran presence, efficient three-point shooting, basketball IQ, playoff experience and locker room standing would be greatly missed.
If Pelinka were to waive Rondo it would open minutes at the point guard position. This would allow for someone like Alex Caruso to get the minutes that he has deserved. Although he does not have the playoff experience of Rondo, Caruso is younger and much more athletic than Rondo, who is thirty-three years old.
As a result of this athletic advantage, Caruso fits better into the fast-paced offense that the Lakers tend to run. He thrives in fast break situations, and he is the most skilled point guard on the roster when it comes to finishing at the rim.
Along with that, he is a slightly better three-point shooter than Rondo. However, the deciding factor between the two is their defensive ability, Caruso is arguably one of the best defensive point guards in the league if given the opportunity to receive starting minutes.
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This opportunity could be given to him if the Los Angeles Lakers were to part way with Rajon Rondo.