According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, a Rajon Rondo return to the Los Angeles Lakers is likely.
“Rondo could be a nice fit in Memphis,” Shelburne said on ‘Mason and Ireland‘ on Thursday. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed in Memphis. I think of all the buyout candidates you’ve mentioned, Rondo is probably the strongest candidate to end up back with the Lakers. Like, if he gets bought out, I think he goes right back to the Lakers.”
Rondo, 35, is technically a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, but the team has guard depth and a roster surplus (the Grizzlies currently have 19 guys). Should they buy him out, a reunion between the four-time All-Star and LeBron James and Anthony Davis would make a ton of sense.
Rondo — who helped lead the Lakers to the 2020 title — would align with the Lakers' offseason pursuit of familiar faces (just not from the 2020-21 squad). The team has already brought back former Lakers Kent Bazemore, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, and Wayne Ellington.
Beyond that, a Lakers-Rondo reunion is logical for a few other reasons:
1) The Lakers could use another point guard
Not including LeBron, the Lakers are riding with a combination of Kendrick Nunn and Talen Horton-Tucker in the second point guard role behind Westbrook. Nunn is more of a combo guard, while THT is evolving as a playmaker and lead ball-handler but is more of a 2.
Los Angeles is “prioritizing” adding a third point guard — either now or midseason. Rondo, of course, fills that void. At this stage, there aren't too many better options.
(The Lakers seemingly sacrificed perimeter defense for improved shooting with their offseason approach. At one point, Rondo would have helped re-balance that, though one could argue he's a better shooter than defender at this stage of his career.)
2) One year ago, he was integral to a title run
11 months ago in the bubble, Playoff Rondo was arguably the Lakers' third-best player. He averaged 8.9 points, 6.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and shot 40% from 3-point range in the postseason. His next-level Xs and Os expertise, leadership, and legendary tape-crunching were pivotal, especially in best-of-seven formats.
The 2021-22 Lakers are trying to raise another banner while James is still an elite player. The more proven, trusted playoff performers on the roster, the merrier.
3) His IQ can help the Lakers figure everything out
With a dramatically overhauled roster, the Lakers have plenty of things to sort out over the course of the season. Rondo's familiarity with Vogel, James, and Davis would be paramount, as will his acumen. He's as close to a coach on the floor as any active player not named LeBron, and he should help Vogel and the Lakers blend everything together.
Postscript: Rondo isn't the only former All-Star who could feasibly find his way to the Lakers at some point this season. The team has worked out Isaiah Thomas. DeMarcus Cousins and Paul Millsap are still free agents. DeAndre Jordan is likely to be bought out by the Brooklyn Nets, per Shelburne, while LaMarcus Aldrige is pondering a return to basketball. Kevin Love is a buyout candidate, as well, especially after the Lauri Markkanen trade.
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