The Los Angeles Lakers need another playmaker on the roster and everybody around the NBA knows it. One Eastern Conference exec who spoke to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report says Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo isn't cutting it as LeBron James' backup:
“The Lakers need another playmaking guard. Rondo's not what he used to be. The ball sticks with him, and he doesn't defend anymore,” one Eastern Conference executive said, echoing an opinion held by many execs in attendance at December's G League Showcase. “They need another point guard to help LeBron. If they're going to make a trade, that's what they need to target.”
Rondo is averaging 7.4 points and 5.4 assists per game this season for the Lakers while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from beyond the arc in 21.2 minutes per game.
The Lakers’ offensive rating drops by 4.1 points when Rondo is on the floor, per Basketball Reference:
Darren Collison is considering a February return to the NBA and the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are emerging as his two preferred destinations. Collison is a better offensive player than Rondo at this stage of his career, although he's been out of the NBA for a while.
Collison retired from the NBA before the 2019-20 season started. He played for the Indiana Pacers last season. With the Pacers in 2018-19, Collison averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 76 games. He shot 46.7 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from beyond the arc and 83.2 percent from the free-throw line.
The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference. They are 27-7 after blowing out the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday to begin 2020.
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