Following the addition of All-Star forward LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers have made several more signing in free agency to help further shape the roster for next season.
One of those prominent acquisitions is former All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, who signed on a one-year, $9 million deal.
According to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints, general manager Rob Pelinka voiced during Wednesday's press conference that the move to bring Rondo aboard was to bring playoff toughness and some high basketball IQ to the team.
Rob Pelinka on Rajon Rondo: “We want to add basketball IQ and playoff toughness to our roster” #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) July 11, 2018
Through his first 12 years in the league, Rondo has proven to be one of the most established point guards in the league that can have a high impact on the game on both ends of the floor. His shooting struggles aside, he is an elite passer along with a sturdy defender that can create pressure along the premier going up against opposing guards.
Meanwhile, he has garnered a tremendous amount of respect for his knowledge of the game as he has been regarded as being one of the smartest players in the league. He has notably had a history of being able to call out opposing team's plays before they get all the way into their sets in the course of a game. This is something that the Lakers hope he can bring to the table on a nightly basis that can help push the team to greater heights in competing for an NBA title.
Beyond that, Rondo has also shown the ability to step up his game when it comes to the playoffs. He has put that seemingly on display each time that he has reached the postseason with the most recent being this past year with the New Orleans Pelicans. In nine games played, Rondo averaged a double-double with 10.3 points and 12.2 assists while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range while posting four double-doubles. There is plenty of potential for this pairing to work out in a highly beneficially manner for the Lakers next season.
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