Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Point Guard
Rajon Rondo
Age: 30
Contract: Signed a two-year, $27 million deal in 2016. $3 million guaranteed in 2017-18.
2016-17 Relevant Stats: 6.9 PTS, 5.9 REB, 6.9 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.2 BLK
From Dec. 31, 2016 to Jan. 9, 2017, Rajon Rondo did not suit up for the Chicago Bulls. Was it because of an injury? Surprisingly, no. Rondo was completely healthy, his team just didn’t want to play him. That’s called a DNP, or “did not play.” This is common with NBA reserves, like Lakers’ Marcelo Huertas, but it’s not common with players that just signed a two-year, $27 million deal just a few months ago. How did we get here?
To be clear, when Chicago signed Rondo, it was widely viewed as a bad deal. Rondo isn’t just a pass first point guard, he’s a pass only guard. He can’t shoot–we knew that–but he seemingly can’t finish anywhere on the floor. Rondo is shooting a career-worst 36.2 percent from the field. Again, two years, $27 million. What are the Bulls to do?
Well if this was any other version of Rondo, they would rush him out of the locker room. This Rondo has handled his demotion like a pro–so far.
However, if he continues to be asked to come off the bench, Rondo told Vincent Goodwill at CSN Chicago that he would ask for a trade.
"The Bulls guard stood at his locker moments later, candidly and honestly answering questions from the media about his future — one that seems to be in doubt some 30 games into his first season as a Bull. “Absolutely,” said Rondo when asked if he accomplished enough in the NBA for the Bulls to accommodate him on a trade or some transaction to allow him to seek another team should the benching continue."
The question now is, who actually still wants Rajon Rondo? Teams like Sacramento and Dallas that desperately need a point guard have already been disappointed by Rondo firsthand. I guess you can make a case for the Philadelphia 76ers, but they’re doing just fine with Joel Embiid carrying their offense and Ben Simmons is due back any day now. That leaves the Los Angeles Lakers.
Do the Lakers need Rondo? No, but the Lakers have something the Bulls need in order to crack into the playoffs: shooters.
Throughout their careers, Nick Young and Lou Williams have established themselves as career bucket getters. Both of them have been phenomenal this season, for the most part, and it just so happens that their combined salaries work in a trade for Rondo.
Lou and Young for Rondo straight up sounds like a really bad idea, and that’s because it is. Throw in a pick, however, and now we’re talking.
Chicago owns the rights to Sacramento Kings’ top-10 protected 2017 draft pick. If it falls in the top 10, Chicago would instead get their 2017 second round pick. Currently, the Kings hold the 10th worst record in the NBA. You see what I’m getting at?
If the Bulls can get some firepower off the bench for Rondo a second rounder, that’s a steal. If the Lakers can get a low-end lottery pick for Lou Williams and Nick Young, that’s highway robbery. It would be a risk for both teams, but a risk worth taking nonetheless.
Just imagine Rondo mentoring the young guys. I can’t stop laughing.
Next: Catching up with the D-Fenders!
But what do you guys think? Is there any point guard you’d like to see suit up for the Purple and Gold? Do you think the Lakers still need a point guard? Let us know in the comments below or send us something on Twitter (@TheLakeShowLife).