Los Angeles Lakers: Grading the Rajon Rondo signing

How did the deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and Rajon Rondo grade out?

The Los Angeles Lakers made a big splash by agreeing to deal with Lebron James a day after free agency began. The Lakers then began to assemble a roster with playmakers around James. One of those playmakers the Lakers signed was Rajon Rondo.

On July 2 the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a one year deal with point guard Rajon Rondo who will earn $9 million in his one year deal. Agreeing to a one year deal is important because it helps keep the salary cap space open for 2019 when the Lakers plan to use the space to sign another superstar.

Rondo entered free agency as an unrestricted free agent. He played last season in New Orleans as the Pelicans starting point guard. He played in 65 games, averaging 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 26.2 minutes. The 12-year NBA veteran ranked 6th in total assists last season, including a season-high 25 assists game on Dec. 27 against the Brooklyn Nets.

With the one year deal Rondo will be able to enter free agency again next year. If all things go well and the fit is right, the Lakers could decide to bring him back in 2019, a win-win for both sides. Rondo had been linked to the Lakers before. He almost signed with the Lakers in 2015 but the Lakers decided to draft a point guard that year in D’Angelo Russell.

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For the Lakers, Rondo is a perfect fit. For one, Rondo has always been regarded as a high IQ basketball player amongst his peers and coaches. That seems to be the type of players the Lakers were looking to assemble around Lebron James. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had this to say regarding Rajon Rondo:

"“We are thrilled to have Rajon bring his off-the-charts basketball IQ to the Lakers,” said Pelinka. “He has a proven ability to play at an elite level during playoff and championship runs, and that is a highly valued skill. Rajon is also respected around the NBA as an extremely hard worker and relentless competitor and that mentality is key to how we want build our roster.”"

Not only does Rondo bring his high basketball IQ to the Lakers but his leadership is another dynamic that he brings to the team. Rondo is eager to be a mentor to Lonzo Ball. During Rondo’s media call after signing his contract he had this to say on Lonzo.

“I’m excited to get a player at that age and try to help him as much as I can, as far as understanding the game and getting his game up to speed at a high level.”

The Lakers young core will be able to lean on Rondo as a leader and a veteran to initiate the offense to take some of that workload off Lebron James. Although Rondo started 63 games for the Pelicans last season he said he is not caught up in starting right now.

“They have me here to help win games, any way possible, whatever situation I might be in. I think they have plans, me being here along with other guys and this great young core. I’m not so much caught up in starting (or not).”

With Rondo joining Lebron James and the Lakers, the expectations for the team will be to not only make the playoffs but to win a championship.

“You put any team, any group of players around Lebron James, as he has done eight straight times, he goes to the Finals.” Rondo said on a Conference call on Friday. “My expectations are the same thing. Even with the Warriors adding DeMarcus Cousins and the Rockets being who they are, I think we fit right up there in the mix. It’s early obviously and I’m not promising anything but at the end of the day, I expect to win. Nothing else.”

Without question, the Lakers bringing in Rajon Rondo and his high basketball IQ will make a huge impact on the team. Look for Rondo to mentor Lonzo Ball and the rest of the young core throughout the season.

Also look for Lebron James to lean on him as well as the other veteran leader in the Lakers locker room.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Grade: A

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