With Rajon Rondo returning from injury, it would seem that Alex Caruso is in line for a decline in playing time. But is that the right move?
Alex Caruso, whom the Los Angeles Lakers recently signed to a two-year $5.5 million deal, has been great in his time as the team’s backup point guard, providing defensive intensity, hustle, and a great feel for where to go and what to do when on the floor. He also can play either guard position, and can be an impact player with or without the ball in his hands.
His athleticism also let’s him make hard cuts to the basket, cut off passing lanes, and be an overall pest on defense, which has translated to transition opportunities on the other end for the Lakers. His ball handling and playmaking need to be improved, that is without question, but he needs consistent playing time to make that happen.
Rajon Rondo is simply not a reliable point guard option, let alone a backup at this stage in his career. His lack of consistent outside shooting means that he’s most effective with the ball in his hands. This isn’t entirely bad as he’s still a high IQ player who will generally make the right pass most of the time, but his ball sticking also makes the offense stagnate as a whole.
Against the Suns, Rondo had a solid first game, with 5 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds while shooting 2-of-6 from the field. But these types of performances are far and few in between, and Rondo’s injury history, coupled with his deficiencies on both ends of the floor don’t bode well for the Lakers come playoff time.
Alex Caruso should definitely be cutting into Rondo’s playing time and not the other way around, as he’s a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is a solid defender, and just overall gives more hustle on a play-by-play basis. Also don’t let the hairline fool you, Caruso is still only 25 years old, and still has room for improvement as the season goes along.
However, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have Caruso and Rondo play together, as Rondo’s chemistry with AD is huge for getting him in a rhythm offensively, which is key to keeping Davis engaged as the season goes along. Caruso is a productive player regardless of whether or not he’s playing on the ball or off it, but overall the Lakers need to give Caruso more opportunities.