Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the 3 most tradeable players
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Lakers’ most tradeable players: 2. Rajon Rondo
With Rajon Rondo, we might be looking at a situation where the Lakers would be getting better with addition by subtraction. Rondo’s veteran presence and ability to be the second ball-handler on the Lakers is absolutely something that the team needs in the rotation.
However, the problem is that Rondo is not great without the ball in his hands and the awkward fit has been obvious at times with LeBron James. Rondo has hit great spurts, but he has many more headache moments to go along with them.
Ideally, the Lakers would be better off with someone who can handle being the second ball-handler as well as play off-ball. Recent buyout signing Dion Waiters fits that billing perfectly, although we have not yet gotten a chance to see how he fits with the Lakers.
Rondo could be included in a bigger package but he is not going to be the sole focal point of the package. He is either going to be a veteran contract that is thrown into the deal or is going to be traded for virtually nothing, such as a second-round pick.
It is important to note that Rondo does have a player option for next season, so the ball essentially is in his court as if he is suspicious of a trade he could opt out of his deal and become a free agent.
However, if the team is sending him to a contending team that needs a backup point guard (such as his first team, the Boston Celtics) then I could see Rondo agreeing to a sign and trade.
His contract is small enough to move without other pieces involved. The only thing making him number two on this list is his player option.