Los Angeles Lakers News & Rumors: Rajon Rondo Likely to Sign With Lakers; Jeremy Lin Could Join Dallas Mavericks
The Los Angeles Lakers have set a new franchise record for most losses in a season. At 20-56, the Lakers won't even be sniffing the postseason this year, but the near future holds some promise for the Purple and Gold.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are a "mortal lock" to sign point guard Rajon Rondo this offseason.
“As I heard from people who would know told me a couple months ago that [Rajon] Rondo is mortal, about a month ago, that Rondo is a mortal lock to sign with the Lakers” ESPN's Max Kellerman said.
Rondo is currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks after the Boston Celtics traded him before the 2014 NBA trade deadline. Rondo played for the Celtics for nine seasons, and won an NBA Championship. Coincidentally, he faced the Lakers twice in the NBA Finals.
"When I first heard that Rondo was coming to L.A., which he is, it was about a month ago and a friend of mine who knows, who is in the business, said it is a mortal lock that the Lakers will sign Rajon Rondo. I’m not going to mention his name, but it is a very reliable source who has his ear to the ground” Kellerman later said.
The Lakers have shown a lot of interest in Rondo over the last two years, including making trade offers for him this very season. Rondo has an expiring contract with the Mavericks, so he is set to become a free agent this summer. Rondo has made over $11 million in each of the last three seasons, including $12.9 million in base salary this year. As one of the top point guards in the NBA today who is still just 29 years old, Rondo will definitely get a large contract wherever he lands.
Fortunately for the Lakers, they have a lot of salary cap space opening up. Steve Nash has retired, Jeremy Lin has an expiring contract, and the Lakers may not use the $9 million team option on Jordan Hill. In other words, the Lakers will have a lot of money to spend over the next two seasons.
As good as Rondo is, there are many Lakers fans who don't feel as if the young point guard is worth a max contract. Rondo may average 8.3 assists per game, but his free throw shooting is absolutely horrendous, making less than 61 percent of his career shots from the line.
As for Lin, he is set to become a free agent, and it is unlikely that the Lakers will re-sign him to a new contract. If the Lakers do re-sign Lin, it will be for a very reduced salary. The Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in signing Lin this summer once he becomes a free agent. Apparently Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a fan of Lin and his playing style. It is also important to note that Lin was a teammate with Tyson Chandler on the New York Knicks when Lin thrived in the pick and roll offense.
If the Lakers do let Lin walk, and somehow decide not to sign Rondo, they could potentially sign Goran Dragic. Dragic has another year remaining on his contract with the Miami Heat for $7.5 million on a player option if he decides to stay. It would be hard to say no to $7.5 million, but Dragic may get a long-term contract with the Lakers.
For the Lakers, they have to look at all three options. Lin knows the system and would cost less than both Dragic and Rondo, but he's not as talented. Rondo is the best passer of the three, but he will come at a very high price. Dragic is the middle one. He will cost an average amount, and he's an average player.
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