Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo would like to return next season

Rajon Rondo recently talked about his desire to come back to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell short of expectations this season, as they have missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Largely due to injuries, the Lakers were unable to survive in the very challenging Western Conference with players like LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Rajon Rondo missing extended periods of time.

Prior to the injury bug getting the Lakers, they were in fourth place in the Western Conference, and all was going well. However, after Christmas, things began to fall apart for the Lakers. Now, the Lakers will be going back to the drawing board this summer. Besides LeBron, the signings that the Lakers made have come into question.

However, the Lakers aren’t married to any of their other summer signings, as they all signed one-year deals. Despite the Lakers not living up to their expectations this season, Rondo recently talked about his desire to stay with the Lakers. Here’s what he had to say to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

"“Absolutely,” Rondo told ESPN when asked if he wanted to come back to the Lakers next season. “Absolutely. I mean, the only way we can go from here is up.”So, I don’t know what the future holds as far as the summer — if I come back, or who else comes back or if I don’t come back. Those things are out of my control. But at the same time, it’s a great organization. I can’t say enough about the staff and the people who work here. They’re really kind and helpful, so I want to continue, if I can, help this organization grow.”"

In 42 games this season, Rondo is averaging 29.4 minutes, 8.7 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. On offense, Rondo is still a very capable player in the NBA, but he isn’t quite the same defensive player that he was earlier in his career. However, at 33-years-old, that should be expected.

Rondo is currently wrapping up his one-year deal with the Lakers that will be expiring at the end of the season. If the Lakers were to bring back Rondo next season, it likely wouldn’t be at the same $9 million figure he is making this season. However, if Rondo was willing to take less money, bringing him back on another one-year deal wouldn’t be a bad move as the backup point guard.

While we will have to wait to see what the summer holds, Rondo stating that he would like to come back is something to monitor.