Rajon Rondo To Opt Out of Contract With Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo is reportedly planning to opt out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. His two-year deal with the Lakers has already ended.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) sits on the court after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series.
Rondo is one of the best point guards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is best remembered in Boston Celtics where he helped the team earned championship rings. This time he helped the Los Angeles Lakers to get its championship ring after 10 years.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers' chance to repeat its championship next season might somehow be compromised as Rondo plans to end his contract with them.
His two-year contract has already expired. Rondo first signed with the Los Angeles Lakers a one-year $9 million contract in 2018. Then he eventually re-sign another two-year contract.
The second year of his contract included a player option, which means that Rondo can just opt out of his contract with the Lakers.
According to a published report in Basketballnews.com, Rondo will opt out of his contract to become a free agent. A league source said, "He's definitely opting out."
It is still unclear if the Lakers will offer another contract to the veteran player or increase his salary cap. If Rondo chooses to play with the Lakers next season, he will be paid around $2.6 million.
His salary next season with the Lakers will be five percent higher compared to his first year. If he decides to transfer to another team, he might be paid a minimum salary of $2.5 million.
Following the Los Angeles Lakers championship, there might be some NBA teams who will be interested in getting Rondo as part of their franchise. He might be offered to play in a team and be paid with a higher salary cap.
At the age of 34 and averaging seven points per game last season, Rondo's chance to be in another team seems slim. Moreover, the global pandemic that led to the country's economic fallout can contribute to reducing his salary cap, according to a published report in NBC Sports. It is also assumed that the salary cap would decline by a commensurate amount.
Different scenarios might happen in Rondo's career in the NBA. If he chooses to remain with the Lakers, he might be offered a higher salary cap, but the team until now did not release any comments about Rondo's contract.
Meanwhile, Rondo's plan to opt out of his contract with the Lakers and be a free agent will give him an opportunity and a chance to play with other teams and be offered a higher salary cap. The only problem is there is no assurance if other teams are interested in getting him.