3 reasons why Los Angeles Lakers will survive without Rajon Rondo

Other Lakers players can step up

A handful of other players will have more pressure applied as the season kicks back up without Rondo. Other players who will likely see more action in the absence of Rondo and Bradley are Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith. While neither of those players can replace the direct role of Rondo on either end of the floor, they do bring a unique ability to knock down and create their own shots.

Waiters was signed by the Lakers just days before the season was suspended in March and Smith was picked up before the Lakers left for Orlando as a replacement for Avery Bradley.

With the Lakers just about locked in to be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, both Waiters and Smith should get plenty of opportunities in the regular season to prove themselves to a new coaching staff in a new environment as the team experiments with various lineups.

If either one of them can show their worth, it might be hard for Rondo to secure significant minutes in the second unit when he returns.

The lack of depth seems to be a concern with this Lakers team as the season resumes later this month. Depth is usually essential in the NBA when forming a championship roster. The grueling schedule of an 82 game season takes its toll on players and a deep roster can help mitigate the effects of that. However, this year there was no 82 game season and the players have been resting for over four months. Depth will not be as big of a factor in this years playoffs as it has been in years past. Not to mention the fact that travel is not a relevant component this year.

Of course, you still need good rotation players and no one will play all 48 minutes, but we can expect to see star players playing more minutes than might be typical in this year’s playoffs.

James looked rejuvenated all season long. As he comes off four months of rest, I am certain he will be ready to take on a huge load and do what is necessary to capture his fourth title. If that means playing a few extra minutes as the primary ball-handler in Rondo’s absence, so be it.

Rondo is only out 6-8 weeks, not the rest of the season. At the latest, Rondo would return from his injury after the first round of the playoffs. It would certainly be hard for him to immediately jump in the mix after this long of a hiatus from playing, but if the Lakers are somehow in dire need of Rondo’s limited skill set, he would be available for when the season will really heat up for LA in the second round and beyond.

Losing bodies is never encouraging, but let’s slow down before we hit the panic button and see just how impactful the loss of Rondo really is.