Moments after renouncing their rights to Julius Randle, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Rajon Rondo to a one-year deal
Los Angeles Lakers rumors have picked up in free agency. The pieces are falling into place for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After signing the best player in this year’s free agent class, and the best player on the planet, in LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million contract yesterday, more free agents flocked to LA.
JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson were lured from their respective teams, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also re-signed; all on one-year deals.
Now add Rajon Rondo to the list of players who want to play with James for the Lake Show.
Source: Rajon Rondo agrees to deal with Lakers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
Rondo moves to Hollywood on a reported one-year, $9 million deal.
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This is an interesting signing, considering the stigma of the Boston Celtics, Lakers rivalry seemingly renewed by James’ signing.
Now that Kyrie Irving is in Boston with James in LA, people believe the rivalry of old is back–and better than ever. Rondo was drafted by the Celtics in 2006 and spent 8.5 seasons there before moving to the Dallas Mavericks in the midst of the 2014-15 season.
Rondo spent last year playing alongside DeMarcus Cousins for the New Orleans Pelicans where he helped lead the team to their first playoff series victory since the 2007-08 season against the Mavs.
This could be another step for the Lakers in landing Cousins, even more. likely now since they renounced their rights to Julius Randle, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Rondo averaged 8.3 points and 8.2 assists in 26.2 minutes per game as the Pelicans’ starter last season. Now, Rondo will compete for the starting gig with 2017 second-overall pick Lonzo Ball. According to Ramona Shelburne, the best man will get the job.
Regarding Rondo and the Lakers, source says they told him that with LeBron here they’re trying to win now. Best man wins the job.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2018
However…
All that said, LeBron did tell the Lakers on Saturday night that he likes Lonzo’s game and is excited to play with him.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 2, 2018
With the Rondo signing, it looks like the anticipated reunion of James and Isaiah Thomas might never happen after all.
The Lakers championship odds skyrocketed to 7-2 with the James signing, and with all of these bench pieces coming together, they are poised to make a significant playoff run.
Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History
They’ll need to mesh quickly early on, as the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets still remain supreme in the Western Conference.