Former NBA Champion Describes Why Rajon Rondo is Exactly What Atlanta Hawks Needed

The Atlanta Hawks didn’t stand back from making some big moves during free agency and the trade period. They have tried to rebuild their roster and will focus on landing a spot in the playoffs next season. One of these moves included bringing in veteran point guard Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The now two-time NBA champion has signed a two-year $15 million deal with the Hawks. After a lot of guesswork about where the point guard will land, Rondo is now the backup point guard for Trae Young and will also play the role of Young’s mentor. The Hawks also sealed the deal with Kris Dunn, adding more depth to the guard spots.

In his second season with the Lakers, Rondo became an integral part of the roster alongside the team’s superstars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His basketball IQ and leadership skills made him the on-court coach of the franchise.

Although regular season Rondo wasn’t very impressive, playoff Rondo made heads turns. This has always been Rondo’s deal throughout his career. And now the Hawks are hoping that Rondo will prove to be of as much value as he did with the Lakers.

Is Rajon Rondo exactly what the Hawks need?

On SiriusXM NBA Radio, former NBA player Rick Mahorn opened up about Rondo being the Hawks’ new veteran leader. He stated, “I would love to have a guy like Rondo be my mentor. Last year it was Vince Carter and Carter was a mentor, but he wasn’t playing.”

“That’s the thing! When you’re on the team, you want a mentor, but the respect comes with ‘Man, this dude got two championships. How did he get that’ and I love a guy like Rondo questioning the coach. He’s got one foot here and one foot there, but he’s always thinking about what’s the disruption.”

He then explained that having someone like Rondo will be beneficial for coach Pierce too.“Not even a description. It’s something that makes you think. It keeps Lloyd Pierce on his toes and he can say ‘Hey Rondo, what do you think?’ You can question the person who has been to the promised land and say, ‘You know what. I am going to listen to what he says’.

A team that is eager to compete in the playoffs, Rondo is an excellent addition for them. Will he be the game-changing leader the Hawks have lacked all this while?