After missing out on trading for now-Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo, the Los Angeles Lakers still plan on pursuing the point guard this summer in free agency, according to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney.
Along with the Lakers and obviously the Mavericks, the New York Knicks are also expected to pursue the star in hopes of landing another big name next to recently resigned Carmelo Anthony.
"There will be other teams involved in the pursuit of Rondo. The Lakers have long expressed interest and still are expected to be among the first in line in the bidding for Rondo. The Knicks—yes, even with the triangle offense—are already certain to be in the mix, too, a source with knowledge of the situation told SN.The Lakers and Knicks are high-profile teams in need of another star, of course. But should the Mavs play well with Rondo and make a deep playoff run, he might never get past Dallas in negotiations. Rondo’s preference would be to play for a winner, and the Mavericks are set up to contend for the next few years. “Depending on how things go from here, obviously, Dallas would get the first word,” with Rondo, the source said."
Rondo has long been a target of the Lakers, who were engaged in trade talks with the Celtics on a deal that would have sent Steve Nash and multiple draft picks to Boston for the point guard. However, the Celtics were reportedly more interested in rookie Julius Randle, whom the Lakers were not willing to give up.
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The Lakers and Rondo are linked even beyond the trade discussions this season and in past years. Kobe Bryant has often spoken highly of the University of Kentucky point guard, even sharing breakfast with him when the Lakers met the Celtics in Boston earlier this season.
The Lakers have been in search of another superstar to take over the reigns of the purple and gold with Bryant clinging to the final years of his career. After infamously missing out Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James this summer, the Lakers appear set to once again to aim for some big-name free agents this summer.
Mitch Kupchak and the Buss family do have at least a marginally more enticing roster this year with the likes of Julius Randle, Nick Young, and Bryant among the marquee names under contract for next year. With their own first round pick possibly to remain in the Lakers’ control should they land in the top five and Houston’s first round pick as well, the Lakers have some ammunition heading into the summer.
However, we know last summer was a disappointment as the flexibility of the roster was none-too-appealing to the free agents. Will the same plan have different outcomes this year? Let us know what you think down below!