UPDATED: 5:00 PM Eastern: Now being reported, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo, is rumors that the Lakers and Knicks each turned down possible inclusions in a three-team deal to send Rondo to a different team.
Lakers and Knicks declined to be part of three-way deals that could've sent Rondo elsewhere, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 18, 2014
While it’s unclear if this is connected to the Dallas Mavericks or Houston Rockets’ attempts at landing Rondo, it’s clear the Lakers want no part in facilitating a deal for Rondo elsewhere.
UPDATED 4:00 PM Eastern: According to Sam Amick of the USA Today, the Lakers made an even bigger offer than first reported, aiming for both Rondo and Jeff Green.
"The Lakers inquired about a deal Thursday that would send forward Jordan Hill and a first-round pick to the Celtics for Rondo and forward Jeff Green, but the Celtics declined that offer, a person familiar with the details told USA TODAY Sports."
The deal would have been a real blockbuster for the Lakers, who could have offered a lot of cap relief for Boston. However, it’s hard to imagine that Boston would part with both players for one pick and a player who is likely overpaid and not someone you can build around.
With the Lakers known to be chasing Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne has reported that they are offering multiple picks and Steve Nash for the former All-Star point guard.
Adding to @ESPNSteinLine report on Rondo from yesterday. Sources tell ESPN the Lakers also offered Boston multiple picks & Nash for Rondo
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 18, 2014
Obviously Nash is used to match salaries as his contract is being paid mostly through insurance this season. The multiple picks might be where Lakers fans are worried, as this would be mortgaging the future for short-term gains.
As has been publicized, Rondo is a free agent this summer, and Lakers fans are still licking their wounds from the Dwight Howard fiasco a few years ago. The Lakers traded for Howard at the start of the season, but failed to re-sign him the following summer and watched him walk away for nothing. Now, with Rondo in a similar situation, the Lakers may be setting themselves up for failure once again.
However, in a star driven league, Rondo is a star and he and Bryant are reportedly close off-the-court, having shared the infamous breakfast prior to their game in Boston a couple weeks ago. This would also signal that the Lakers will not be tanking, something that have vehemently denied doing since the beginning of the season.
Rondo is averaging 8.3 points, 10.8 assists, and 1.7 steals a game this season in 22 games. The points mark is his lowest since his rookie season, but he’s averaging more assists than last season and still remains a top-level point guard. He would instantly become the best point guard Kobe Bryant has played with, which is not too hard of a list to climb up.
Do you think the Lakers should make this trade? Let us know why or why not down below.