3. His 3-point shot doesn’t create “gravity”
Rondo used to be a terrible 3-point shooter. In his first nine seasons in the league he made only 26.3 percent of his attempts from downtown, and the book on him was to roam off him and make him convert those “prove it to me” shots from beyond the arc.
That has changed somewhat. In the last four seasons he’s shot 35.8 percent from the land of plenty, including 35.9 percent last season with the Lakers. It’s pretty safe to say that he’s now a decent 3-point shooter.
The problem is that teams still leave him open from out there, which interferes with spacing.
If Rondo were to be the team’s starting point guard, the only player in the starting lineup who would be a good outside shooter would be Danny Green. With Rondo’s man being able to play like a free safety and shut down the passing lanes, as well as the ability of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to do their thing in the paint, it would likely hamper the Lakers’ halfcourt offense.
The good news is that Rondo is apt to hit at least two 3s in a row when given the shot and the ball in those situations. But there are better all around options at the starting point guard spot, especially when it comes to spacing the floor.