NBA Rumors: Lakers Only Team Interested In Rajon Rondo

It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Rajon Rondo was going toe-to-toe with LeBron James in the Eastern Conference Finals. At the time, many considered Rondo to be the best point guard in the league, a player with great vision and passing who was able to get his teammates involved a la Magic Johnson.

-== Top 7 Kobe Bryant Games of the 2014-15 Season ==-

However, since suffering an ACL tear during the 2012-13 season, Rondo has struggled to reclaim his form. Although Rondo was struggling, he was still the best player the Celtics had and many assumed he would fetch a max contract come this summer.

Unfortunately for Rondo, he has performed far below expectations in his short time with the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Cuban thought he was trading for a perennial All-Star in Rondo, but the ball dominant guard did not fit into coach Rick Carlisle’s pace and space offense.

Rondo has seen his value plummet over the past few months and may have a hard time finding a decent contract on the market this coming summer. According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, the Lakers may be the only team interested in the former All-Star.

"“So where will Rondo play? It seems like the only team willing to give him a contract this summer is the Lakers. It almost certainly would make Kobe Bryant happy” – Tim Bontemps"

Rondo had planned to sign with the Lakers this offseason, presumably for a max contract, before being traded to the Mavericks. The Lakers may have an upper hand in negotiations with Rondo playing so terribly over the past few months and his bizarre behavior toward Carlisle.

"“If Rondo gets a contract offer from the Lakers, how much is he worth? He will try to get a max offer, but that seems impossible. He may even struggle to exceed $10 million to $12 million a year after the way he’s struggled the past season and a half.” – Tim Bontemps"

Although Rondo did not mix well in Carlisle’s pace and space system, he would fit in better with Byron Scott’s Princeton offense. Scott would allow Rondo the freedom he had under Doc Rivers which saw the guard thrive.

The growth of Jordan Clarkson as well as who the Lakers land in the 2015 draft could determine if the Lakers pursue Rondo. As Bontemps said, Kobe has been a huge fan of Rondo for quite some time, the two met for breakfast earlier this season. While bringing in Rondo will make Kobe happy, the Lakers have to be smart and make sure Rondo fits into their long term plans.

Next: Lakers News: Byron Scott To Represent Lakers At Lottery

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