Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who could lose time to Dion Waiters

3. Rajon Rondo

The Los Angeles Lakers have been relying heavily on LeBron James at the point guard position. Dion Waiters isn’t a point guard by trade, but he is someone with some playmaking chops. That could result in less playing time for the team’s backup point guard, Rajon Rondo.

Rondo has struggled to produce at a positive level this season. His defensive performance has fallen off a cliff and his style offensively has caused issues at times. Rondo has flashed some positive moments, but if Waiters can run the offense with any efficiency, he could take away some of Rondo’s minutes.

Waiters is a superior offensive player given his ability to score the ball in multiple ways. He improved as a 3-point shooter with the Miami Heat and is someone that can create his own shot. If he shows some of the playmaking ability he did in Miami, the Lakers could be comfortable giving him spot minutes as the lead guard.

Defensively, Waiters isn’t going to land on any All-Defensive teams, but he has shown he can get the job done. During his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder during their playoff run, he was called upon as one of their top defenders. Given his size, he can defend multiple positions.

Rondo was someone who was on the bubble for minutes come playoff time already. Waiters presents the team with another option in the backcourt should he falter.