LA Clippers Target #1 – Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is the player I think most likely ends up in a Clippers uniform when free agency is all said and done. The team already expressed interest in him and he fits what the team needs – a pass-first type of guard who is also helpful on the defensive end.
The Clippers would likely have to shell out some money in order to bring Rondo in. Rondo opted out of a $2.6 million player option in order to try and earn a bit more on the open market. The Clippers only currently have their mini mid-level exception, meaning they can spend around $5 million to add him to the team. Depending on what they do the next few days, they could get back up to the full mid-level exception but the team has other holes that will also need to be addressed.
Rondo isn’t a knockdown shooter and in theory, could cause spacing problems for the Clippers’ offense but he does enough to warrant a roster spot. The Clips need someone that can generate assists after Kawhi Leonard led the team in that category last year with just 5.5 per game. Rondo’s average was lower but was also on a much lesser usage rate.
Seeing as how Rondo probably wants to join a contender and the Lakers just traded for a point guard, the match between him and the LA Clippers just makes sense.