Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton told reporters that Rajon Rondo will return in their next contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron James is also less likely to be playing with the team by then, per Walton.
Luke Walton on Rajon Rondo playing on Thurs vs T’Wolves: “I think Rondo will play Thursday” #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 22, 2019
Luke Walton on LeBron James: “Right now I feel more confident about Rondo” playing on Thursday. #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 22, 2019
The Lakers have been playing without LeBron James for a while now. He had gotten hurt with a left groin strain. His camp has made it clear that he will rehab for as long as he needs. The team has struggled in his absence. Without his presence, their ability to create offense has been limited. All the pressure has gone onto Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball to lead the team.
It has worked, but it's been ugly. They've been 5-6 in the month of January and they can't seem to get over the .500 hump. Without James, the Lakers have no identity. Ball is too passive to carry the offense every night, and Kuzma is a shot creator who plays outside of Walton's offensive scheme. Josh Hart can't create his own shot either.
That said, the team could really use Rajon Rondo. He's someone who can orchestrate the offense every night and corral the young players to play as a whole. In his time with the Chicago Bulls, he always connected better with the younger players rather than the veterans. Rondo would be useful for not only ball-handling duties but veteran leadership as well.
The Lakers now sit at 25-33 which is good for ninth overall in the NBA's Western Conference.
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