Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Rumor: LA Clippers Interested in Adding Rajon Rondo via Free Agency
The NBA's annual free agency period is just around the corner, meaning rumors are beginning to fly regarding which teams will sign which players as they begin to look toward next season.
According to The New York Times' Marc Stein, the LA Clippers already have at least one player in mind: Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo.
Rondo is among the most well-known veteran guards in the league, and for good reason. He's long been an above-average playmaker and defender, and he earned a few All-Star selections at the beginning of the decade. That said, he's never been a great shooter, and at 34, he's clearly no longer at his prime.
Rondo also isn't a great regular-season option — there were times this year when he was completely out of the Lakers' rotation — but he makes up for it in the postseason.
Throughout the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Rondo was one of the Lakers' most consistent players off the bench, posting averages of 8.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in less than 25 minutes per game. Moreover, Rondo knocked down his three-pointers at a 40% clip, which came in handy in close games.
Rondo currently has a player option with the Lakers for 2021 worth a little over $2.6 million. Should he opt-out, the Clippers could use a portion of their mid-level exception to make him a competitive offer. The Lakers are expected to be interested in re-signing him as well.
He may not be the ideal choice, but this is a considerably weak class of free agents — particularly when it comes to point guards. There are better names out there (Goran Dragic is one), but Rondo may be the best backup available in terms of realistic signings.
