The Los Angeles Lakers’ signing of Rajon Rondo was named their biggest boneheaded move of the offseason by Bleacher Report.
The Los Angeles Lakers overhauled their roster during the 2018 NBA free agency period. With an eye toward moving their rebuild forward, the Lakers brought in a number of veterans to help achieve that.
One of those veterans that were signed was Rajon Rondo. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are taking a different approach to filling out the roster around LeBron James. Instead of signing floor spacers, they decided to add more playmakers around him to lessen the offensive burden.
In addition to Rondo, the Lakers also signed Lance Stephenson, a solid playmaker in his own right. Along with Lonzo Ball, the Lakers have three players that ranked in the top-nine in assists per game last season.
While the plan for Johnson and Pelinka was clear, some people didn’t like the signing of Rondo. Over at Bleacher Report, an article was made compiling the biggest bonehead move each team made this offseason. For the Lakers, the bonehead move selected was Rondo’s signing.
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Here is part of what they said about their selection.
"This isn’t too troubling with regard to Stephenson, McGee and Beasley, all of whom are built to fill minor, specialized roles. But Rondo has a chance to win the starting nod from the get-go now that Lonzo Ball is spending the offseason recovering from knee surgery.That could be problematic if he ends up inhibiting the development of a special talent at point guard.Rondo earning minutes at Ball’s expense wouldn’t just inhibit Ball’s development, preventing him from gaining chemistry alongside LeBron James and the other up-and-comers in Tinseltown. It would also make the team significantly worse, thus diminishing the appeal it needs for the big-name signings it covets in the summer of 2019."
Rondo could, theoretically, push Ball for a starting spot. However, that is not what he signed with the Lakers for. Rondo isn’t eyeing a starting spot with the Lakers. Instead, he is eyeing a championship ring, which should be the goal of everyone on the roster.
For the Lakers to win, their young players, especially Ball, will have to take steps forward in their development. Rondo is ready to do whatever it takes to help do that, as he is ready to help Ball develop.
In addition to the veteran experience he brings with him, Rondo will greatly improve the Lakers’ on the court as well. Last season, the backup point guard position was a mess. Things got enough tougher when Ball was sidelined, as players such as Tyler Ennis and Alex Caruso were pushed into larger roles.
If Ball battles injuries once again, the Lakers now have a more than capable backup point guard to step into the lineup. Their playing styles are similar as they are both pass-first guards, so there shouldn’t be too much of a drop off when Ball is off the court. Depending on the opponent, the two could even play on the court together.
Calling the Rondo signing a boneheaded decision is a little harsh. Of the signings this offseason, Rondo fills arguably the biggest role from last season’s team as a backup point guard off the bench.