With JJ Redick reportedly confirmed as the Lakers’ head coach, the franchise’s next target seems to surround him with a capable staff. And if The Athletic’s Sham Charania is to be believed, LA Lakers are considering a 4x All-Star, who helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Lakers in the 2008 NBA finals. But then he also played a part in the Lakers claiming the NBA championship in 2020.

The player in discussion is 2x NBA champ Rajon Rondo. Legion Hoops, in an X post, stated, “Rajon Rondo is a candidate to join JJ Redick’s staff on the Lakers, per @ShamsCharania.” The former NBA star has been on the Lakers’ roster in two different instances. While his first stint was from 2018 to 2020, he landed with the team briefly in 2022 for the second time. Notably, Reddick and Rondo were in the same draft class, but the two have never been on the same team.

Apart from Rondo, there are some other reported names in the mix as well. These include Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley, Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell, and Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Scott Brooks. Earlier in May, Marc Stein reported if Redick lands the job, he could look at Cassell and Dudley as options. JJ Redick and Dudley have played on the same team – LA Clippers.

Meanwhile, Cassell was on the coaching staff during Redick’s time on the Clippers. However, the Lakers’ new head coach has no such prior connection with Rondo. Even so, the ex-Lakers star had a worthy tenure during his run as a player. He led the league in assists in 2015-16 and thrice in assists per game. Securing the “Grand Theft Rondo” name, Rondo also led the NBA in steals in 2009-10. He finished his career as a 2X champion, 4x All-Star, and 15th all time in NBA when he confirmed his retirement in April.

The role will thus be his first attempt in the territory, much like Redick. But will be so as a player with reputable basketball IQ in the league.

What does LeBron James think of Rajon Rondo as a coach?

During an episode of ‘Mind the Game’ podcast, JJ Redick asked Bron which of his teammates had basketball intellect above all others. The King’s first choice was Rondo himself, for he believes the 2x NBA champ can process things at the moment and flip them as per requirement. “It is very weird to me that he is not coaching at a high level,” Bron said.

The King believes the only reason Rondo is away from the role is because he doesn’t want to do it. Although Rondo had asked LeBron in an X post, if he should start with college or pro level. What seemed to be a playful response back then may now turn into reality. However, James is not the only NBA star who praised Johnny for his game IQ.

Draymond Green, on his show, had once expressed the amount of respect he holds for Rajon Rondo’s game IQ. He believes there are only a few names in NBA who can process the picture before it even becomes clear, and the 4x All Star is one. “… When it comes to IQ, he is one of the GOATs,” Green said. Now, it’s to be seen if this aspect of Rondo, as a player, can land him the job with Lakers.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.