Lakers news: Even away from the team, Rajon Rondo is still observing practice

Lakers guard Rajon Rondo fractured his thumb over the weekend

Los Angeles Lakers starting guard Rajon Rondo fractured his thumb in one of the first few days in the Orlando bubble at Walt Disney World. As a result, the guard will need to undergo surgery and miss at least six weeks, up to eight.

In the meantime, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will likely assume Rondo’s spot in the starting lineup, a logical shift for the coaching staff.

Rondo’s path back will be to recover and see where the team is at once he’s ready. Currently, he’ll be returning right in-line with the start of the postseason. At that point, rotations could be too solid and interjecting Rondo might cause rifts with roster chemistry.

Still, Rondo is staying ready.

Rajon Rondo is keeping engaged with Lakers practices

Rajon Rondo posted on his Instagram story a video of Lakers practice being streamed or video called into him.

This is just one of the many modern ways players can stay connected to their teams that have had to be leveraged during the global pandemic. Normally, Rondo might only miss a few days of practice for the surgery and rejoin the team on the practice sidelines shortly after.

During the pandemic, it might not make sense to have Rondo rejoin the bubble until he’s closer to playing, so he could be away from the team for quite some time. Since the Lakers couldn’t bring every trainer and coach, it’s possible Rondo could stay near the team’s home base and get treatment there.

Rondo’s impact has been the subject of much debate over the course of the season and especially over the last few days. Not exactly a universally beloved player for the Lakers, he is still a member of the Purple and Gold and his commitment to the team even when he’s been bounced from the bubble due to his injury is admirable.