The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to sign veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is a one-year deal worth $9 million, according to Yahoo!’s Shams Charania. The move is the latest of wild Lakers acquisitions that have followed the blockbuster signing of LeBron James.
Los Angeles inked James to a four-year, $154 million max contract on Sunday, and they began adding playmakers to the roster immediately after. First they signed Lance Stephenson, who has had beef with James in the past. Then, they re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before rumors surfaced of their interest in free agent combo guard Tyreke Evans.
The Lakers also signed JaVale McGee. The Rondo signing is the latest move, but it certainly might not be the last.
Why would Los Angeles sign Rondo?
Well first of all, he has championship pedigree. That’s not even a question. His presence in the starting lineup for the Pelicans morphed them into a team that swept the Portland Trail Blazers out of the first round of the playoffs. Rondo is a winner, and on a team with as many young, talented players like the Lakers, veteran winners are a must.
But the Lakers are also in the mix to sign DeMarcus Cousins, and renouncing Julius Randle and his cap hold may have been an indication that more free agency moves are on the way. Rondo and Cousins are good friends, to the point where Cousins once said in Sacramento that he wouldn’t allow Rondo to leave in free agency. The two played together on the Kings, and again last season with the Pelicans.
Rondo may also serve as a mold for what the Lakers may want Lonzo Ball to develop into. He may be the mentor Ball needs, if they don’t trade him in any package that could land a star, like Kawhi Leonard.