The Los Angeles Clippers are in a tough position next season. They gave up on their future in a bid to pair up Kawhi Leonard and Paul George; however, the experiment failed right in its infancy. Moreover, with Head Coach Doc Rivers gone, it raises questions: Will PG and Kawhi commit for the long term?
That’s a question for another day right now as the Clippers are looking to bring a change to their roster for the better. One of the biggest flaws that they had was an absence of a true point guard.
They never had a player who could facilitate the offense smoothly, and it was exposed in the Playoffs. Keeping that in mind, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Clippers are targeting Rajon Rondo this offseason.
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“The Clippers have interest in signing the Lakers’ Rajon Rondo, league sources say, and are expected to pursue Rondo when free agency opens in November.”
The Clippers have interest in signing the Lakers' Rajon Rondo, league sources say, and are expected to pursue Rondo when free agency opens in November
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 28, 2020
Rondo, who recently won a championship with the Lakers, is keen to test the FA. But would the Lakers let him go so easily? Most probably not. Moreover, losing their veteran point guard to their noisy neighbors will be a tough pull to swallow for the purple and gold.
“The Lakers are naturally determined to re-sign Rondo, who played a huge role in their playoff run, but the Clippers are eager to upgrade at point guard. Rondo has said he is planning to test the open market, which means declining his §2.7 million option for next season.”
The Lakers are naturally determined to re-sign Rondo, who played a huge role in their playoff run, but the Clippers are eager to upgrade at point guard. Rondo has said he is planning to test the open market, which means declining his §2.7 million option for next season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 28, 2020
It is no surprise that the Lakers will do everything in their power to bring Rondo back. Although he didn’t average monster numbers, he was a vital part of their championship run.
The offense ran through him when LeBron James was warming the bench. Losing this card will hinder the title aspirations they hold for 2021.
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Can the Los Angeles Clippers lure Rajon Rondo to their team?
Rondo averaged a solid 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in the postseason. Moreover, Rondo played incredible defense when it mattered the most for the Lakers.
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However, this meant that Rondo’s contract expectations rose, and as a result, he wants to opt-out of his player option in hopes of earning more money.
The LA Clippers, on the other hand, need a more experienced presence on their side of the court. Rondo can fill that role easily while making the offense smoother as well. But considering everything, it’s hard to see Rondo playing for any other team in L.A. apart from the Lakers.