“I absolutely want to coach. I’ve been preparing to coach since I left Boston, really,” said Rajon Rondo, inside an empty Bulls locker room in 2017. 7 years after he made the statement, and 2 years since he last played in the NBA, the 2x NBA Champ continues holding on to that aspiration. After all, reports highlight Rondo as someone who possesses quite an impressive basketball IQ, along with experience in leading a team as a floor general. Keep in mind that support from many isn’t the same as support from everybody. However, we now know that Draymond Green has a clear stance on what Rondo’s future should be like.

The former Celt, on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, talked about JJ Redick and how the rookie HC is spearheading the Lakers in the ongoing season. As Rondo concluded, Green chimed in. “I look forward to the day you’re ready to make that jump because don’t give me the assistant coach stuff”. As Dray’s co-host Baron Davis kept stating, “Press the Button”, the Warrior continued, “Don’t give me the ‘Oh, like you need to go through this, you need to go through that, and you don’t have the experience don’t give me that. I don’t want to hear that”.

Green’s confidence in Rondo stemmed from the former player’s basketball IQ, which is also the one thing that made JJ Redick a defendable candidate during his candidacy for the Lakers. If that isn’t enough, then more aspects can justify Rondo’s case.

“Rondo is an NBA champion already, right?” said Green. “Rondo is an All-Star, Rondo is All-Defense, and you know he got the mind. He watched more film, and if you know anything about the NBA and in the workings, you know Rondo watched more film than the coaches watch, already, as a player.” The Warriors Power Forward used the Lakers HC as an example and continued, “When Rondo is ready to take that leap and he looking for a job, he’s not looking for an assistant coach job. He’s looking for a head job. Because JJ’s doing it, he’s showing you that it’s possible, right, and we know how smart Rondo is. So, I don’t want to hear it.”

Even as JJ Redick was touted as a candidate for the head coaching position, he was met with opposition. The main issue that critics had with him was his lack of experience. After all, the former player had directly ventured into broadcasting after leaving the NBA. Others argued that he was only being considered by Jeanie Buss because of his close association with LeBron James.

Since the commencement of the regular season, however, JJ Redick has been doing his part in shutting down the critics. As of now, he has helped to get the Lakers a 10-4 win record. Reports highlight how the new HC gets more out of LeBron James than Darvin Ham did. He has won over even the rest of the Lakers’ roster. After all, a report revealed, “NBA sources have told Hoops Wire that players have ‘loved’ everything Redick has brought to the table. Those same sources also said that Lakers players ‘hated’ playing for Ham.”

Therefore, someone like JJ Redick can find success through his experience as a player, and his basketball IQ. In that case, why can’t Rajon Rondo? However, if his previous comments are any indication, then Rajon Rondo does not want to coach just any NBA team. He wants to coach a new one. That is why- he is waiting for LeBron James to make the first move!

Rajon Rondo jokes about wanting to coach the Las Vegas expansion team “Just waiting on Bron to buy that team”

In March, Rajon Rondo sat down for an interview with Rachel Nichols and highlighted LeBron James and JJ Redick releasing the first episode of their ‘Mind the Game’ podcast. The fact that Rondo hadn’t gotten into coaching yet was brought up by the Lakers duo. Therefore, it was a question that Nichols herself wanted to know the answer to. In a joking manner, the former player stated, “I’m just waiting on Bron to buy that team in Vegas, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

Just months before, Adam Silver revealed the NBA’s intention to add expansion teams. A city that came up as a potential candidate was Las Vegas. After all, the arrival of the Raiders, Aces, and Golden Knights showed the potential that sports holds in Sin City.

The NBA already holds its annual Summer League there. LeBron James, however, may be long retired before the team materializes. Plus, being the only active billionaire player in NBA history, he certainly has the money. Therefore, why shouldn’t he invest?

Along with LeBron James, potential interested bidders for the Las Vegas expansion team include others like Shaquille O’Neal and even Candace Parker! So, if the 22-season veteran does end up investing, then another former NBA player with no coaching experience, but with a keenly notable basketball IQ, can see himself rise through the ranks!