Rumors: LA Clippers have interest in signing Rajon Rondo
The LA Clippers reportedly have interest in signing Rajon Rondo.
The LA Clippers have made it clear that they have a desire to address their lack of playmaking. Whether or not that demand came from Kawhi Leonard or not still remains to be seen but what is becoming clear is that the team is ready to make moves.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Clippers are reportedly interested in bringing in veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
Rondo is coming off a championship season with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing well enough beside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In fact, he probably played himself into a bit of a pay raise. Rondo is declining his player option for $2.7 million in 2020-21 in order to hit the free agency market.
If he joins the Clippers, he would become the best playmaker on the team immediately. Can you guess who the Clippers top assist man was this season?
Kawhi Leonard with 5.5 per game.
Rondo only had 5.0 per game this season with the Lakers but on his career averages 8.3. That alone is the type of upgrade the Clippers need.
Would he take the starting spot from Patrick Beverley? That remains to be seen. Rondo is still a very solid defender and while not a great shooter from deep, can hit threes if left wide open. Beverley still likely fits better next to Rondo but having both would be nothing but a plus.
If he is added to the team as part of the second unit, Rondo would still fit well next to Lou Williams. Lou could focus on scoring more while Rondo initiates the offense. His ability to playmake for the bench while also defending would be a huge upgrade over Reggie Jackson who finished the season in that role.
Looking to make more than the $2.7 million he is opting out of, Rondo would likely eat into the Clippers mid-level exception. While that MLE is one of the only ways the Clippers have to bring in more talent this season and the team might be hesitant to use it, the point guard market is pretty dry this offseason and Rondo would be one of the top options within the team’s price range.
Would you want to see Rondo transition from the purple and gold to the red, white, and blue? Let us know on Twitter and make sure to follow along with us as the LA Clippers and the rest of the NBA head into free agency.