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Los Angeles Lakers Free Agency: Rajon Rondo opts for New Orleans Pelicans

By Tony Thai

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on April 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on April 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers missed out on free agent point guard Rajon Rondo as he agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Since early in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to point guard Rajon Rondo. Rumors circulated that the Lakers had an interest in signing the four-time All-Star. However, the Lakers will have to look elsewhere for a backup point guard.

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Rondo has agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

This is Rondo’s fifth team in four years. He will reunite with his former teammate, DeMarcus Cousins. Both of them played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2015-2016 season. In that season, Rondo led the league in assists with 11.7 assists per game, tying an earlier career high.

Both of them played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2015-2016 season. In that season, Rondo led the league in assists with 11.7 assists per game, tying an earlier career high.

After re-signing Jrue Holiday to a five-year, $126 million dollar extension, the Pelicans were still on the hunt for a point guard. That led to the team meeting with Rondo on Thursday, July 13th and his eventual signing. The Pelicans believe Rondo and Holiday can both be on the floor at the same time.

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After one season in Sacramento, Rondo entered free agency hoping for a long-term deal. Instead, he landed with the Chicago Bulls last year and re-entered free agency this offseason after Chicago declined his option.

In 69 games last season, Rondo averaged 7.8 points and 6.7 assists, all lower than his career averages of 10.5 points and 8.5 assists. While he had a poor regular season, Rondo upped his performance in the playoffs. Rondo helped lead the Bulls to a 2-0 lead against the Boston Celtics before a wrist injury kept him out for the rest of the series.

Before signing with the Pelicans, the Lakers looked at signing Rondo as a potential mentor for Lonzo Ball. Both being pass-first point guards, Ball could benefit from an 11-year veteran like Rondo.

Even with success on the court, it is well-documented that Rondo fights and argues with coaches in the past. With that in mind, teams might be wary of Rondo and could avoid signing him.

Now with Rondo off the market, the Lakers will look at other options at backup point guard. The Lakers could bring back Tyler Ennis or look at other options left in free agency. They did sign Alex Caruso to a two-way contract this week. There have been rumors that the Lakers are also interested in Ian Clark and Isaiah Canaan for the backup guard spot according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:

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Should the Lakers have signed Rondo? Did they miss out on a chance to give Ball a mentor or did they dodge a bullet? Either way, the Lakers will move on and find a different player as the backup to Ball.

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