After an ugly divorce with the Dallas Mavericks, Rajon Rondo’s immediate future remains up in the air. Rondo was once considered one of the biggest names set to hit the free agent market this summer, but following an extremely disappointing stint with the Mavs, the one-time NBA champion may find it difficult to sign a lucrative deal.
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Although Rondo’s stock has plummeted since joining the Mavericks, one of his former teammates believes his next team will be getting a player still in his prime. Keyon Dooling played alongside Rondo in Boston and said the following about his former teammate, via Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
“I think his future is bright, I think someone will be getting a hungry veteran who’s still in the prime of his career,” Dooling said. “We’re talking about one of the most unselfish players in the league in his selfish ways. It’s like an anomaly. He’s the most unselfish player in the world on the court but for some reason he has a selfish image. I’m biased because that’s my friend, but I just don’t get it.”
Despite what Rondo has done to his reputation and value on the open market, the Los Angeles Lakers are still rumored to be the one team in the league willing to roll the dice on the veteran point guard. Kobe Bryant has endorsed the signing of Rondo and the team could use some veteran leadership, but it remains to be seen whether the storied franchise is determined to sign him this summer.
At this point in time, Rondo may have to settle for a one or two-year deal with a team in order to prove his worth long-term. It may actually benefit him to do so if he believes he’s got a lot left in the tank with the salary cap increasing next year.
The Lakers will attempt to make a splash in NBA free agency during the off-season with players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, and Kevin Love in the team’s crosshairs. Rondo will likely remain an option for Los Angeles, but there’s been no indication how much the team is willing to pay him or what Rajon might be asking for leaving uncertainty moving forward.
[divide]Lakers Nation’s 2015 NBA Draft Podcast