When the Los Angeles Lakers revamped their roster last off season, little did everyone know they got rid of collective basketball IQ and shooting. Losing Rajon Rondo, who was arguably their third best player in their championship run in 2020, was huge for the Lakers but it’s hard to blame Rob Pelinka and co. for not keeping him. Rondo wanted more money and that was something the Purple and Gold couldn’t provide. 

Fast forward to the 2021 NBA off season, the Lakers are the frontrunners to land the 35-year-old veteran once again, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It only took Rondo to sign with the Atlanta Hawks then getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers (for Lou Williams) and then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Rondo and the Grizzlies eventually agreed to a buyout, which is expected to lead him back to LA. 

Case in point: the Lakers eventually get to keep Rondo—a year after and the best part, on a minimum deal. My colleague R.P. Salao thinks that LA signing Rondo doesn’t make sense, but here are three reasons why I actually think it’s the contrary.

3. Rondo strengthens the IQ of any team he goes to

It's hard to stress enough how important collective basketball IQ is, especially come playoff time. You need basketball players who can make the right plays, show up at the most important moments, and don’t fold on the pressure.

Rondo isn’t that savvy point guard anymore, but he can still contribute big time by helping Frank Vogel, especially when it comes to the coach's offensive schemes and adjustments in the playoffs. He is a player-coach that the Lakers will graciously welcome once again with open arms. 

Former Laker Jared Dudley said it himself in his exit interview last season: the Lakers lacked that collective IQ they needed to succeed. Rondo does not have to put up superstar numbers every game, there are three players that can do that already for LA. All he has to do is take that Dudley role last season, provide leadership, be an important locker room guy, be their third string playmaker and most importantly, be that film savant the Lakers badly needed last season.

In retrospect, think about this: a player replacing what Dudley does but can actually still play? Not bad for a minimum contract. 

2. Rondo knows how to utilize Anthony Davis best

Here’s a fun fact: Anthony Davis has not won a playoff series without Rondo. As unnecessary and head scratching this sounds, it’s hard to deny the fact that Rondo is by far the best playmaker that’s not named LeBron James who has played with Davis. Last season, Dennis Schroder (who was expected to replace Rondo) only had one lob attempt with Davis. This was unacceptable, especially since Davis is considered one of the best finishers at the rim in today’s NBA. 

Rondo, who played with Davis in New Orleans and Los Angeles, has already perfected his chemistry with the Brow. It’s the reason why Vogel utilized their partnership often when James would go to the bench in that 2019-20 season. Rondo (14), Westbrook (12) and James (8) are ranked Top 15 in the assist leader board in NBA history. Suffice to say that Davis will have the best passers to ever play the game around him—which also is the best way to utilize the big man.

Moreover, according to Bball-index, Rondo’s overall passing creation quality ranks at the 99th percentile. Aside from his playmaking abilities, the veteran can rebound (his most underrated skill in my opinion), make open threes (he shot 40.4% from deep last season) and play defense when he really needs to. Plus, he always seems to make the right calls and play well during crunch time. Give me an old but still effective roster over a young and inexperienced one in the playoffs any day.

Sure, Westbrook and James will probably take most of the minutes, but it’s not a bad idea to have a point guard like Rondo as the team’s third playmaker option. He’ll also be able to guide Westbrook on how to adjust playing with AD. It’s the little stuff like these that casual fans don’t really take into account. 

1. Rajon Rondo provides overall depth for Lakers

It’s fair to criticize this move by the Lakers, but what naysayers have to understand is that the Lakers are in “win-now” mode. When you have one of the best players to ever play basketball, any team that employs him has to do everything they can to build a contender around him. This isn't a team that is set to last for the next five years but rather only this year, where the Lakers are expected to go deep in the playoffs. 

Look at this play in the 2020 NBA Finals for example. Rondo told LeBron to pass it to an open AD on the 3-point line. Jimmy Butler fell for it and ended up running to AD. What Butler didn't know is that James and Rondo had him fooled and instead, James passed it to Rondo for the easy layup. That's called 3D chess over checkers orchestrated by two of the most intelligent players in today's game.

Again, the addition of Rondo provides superior IQ, playmaking, leadership and veteran presence. These are skills that a young player trying to win a championship barely can fully supply. Besides, the 13th man does not always see minutes and Rondo for sure isn’t going to complain about his role and playing time because he himself knows he’s close to calling it a career. He’s also well equipped under Vogel’s system since he’s spent more than two years with the Lakers.

If you’re a basketball film nerd like me, you would die to be a fly on a wall just to see James, Rondo and Vogel together in the film room. When you have the opportunity to utilize your 13th roster spot on a veteran (over Isiah Thomas)  that can still make plays, as well as contribute on offense and defense, then you do that 100 percent of the time especially if you’re trying to win a championship.