Lakers: Free agent point guards that could replace KCP and Rajon Rondo

The Los Angeles Lakers may need to peruse free agency to replace Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Wow. What a rollercoaster of a season we just had. From the acquisition of superstar Anthony Davis to the death of Kobe Bryant to winning a championship in a bubble during a worldwide pandemic, this year (this season was literally over a year-long!) has been anything but predictable.

Regardless of all of the hurt we have encountered this season, the end result was as beautiful as it could get.

However, now it is time to put the past behind us and focus on next season. Free agency will be upon us in the blink of an eye and we have two potential free-agent point guards that may be on their way out.

One of the most unpredictable facets of the 2019-2020 Los Angeles Lakers‘ season was the emergence of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo, especially in the playoffs. KCP began the year in a ridiculous shooting slump.

Things were so bad for him that he was even air-balling layups. Lakers’ fans were calling for his head all over social media. Rajon Rondo was even worse and was a huge liability on the defensive end of the floor.

Things turned around in a giant way for both of the Lakers’ guards. Caldwell-Pope turned into our third-best player, shooting nearly 47% from the field and 39% from deep. His effort on the defensive end was also much needed, especially in the playoffs when he was given the duties of guarding guys like Damian Lilliard, James Harden, and Jamal Murray.

Many viewed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as nothing more than a fishing pole that helped the Lakers land LeBron James, but he showed everyone why Rob Pelinka compared him to “manna from heaven”.

Similarly, Rajon Rondo was not the most liked Laker to begin the season. The only difference, however, was that his importance to the team didn’t come during the regular season at all.

Once the veteran point guard returned from injury in the second round of the playoffs, we showed all of the haters that Playoff Rondo exists. He shot the ball like Steph Curry and ran the floor like the Rajon Rondo of old.

With both guards playing a monumental role in leading the Los Angeles Lakers back to the promised land, it will be tough to re-sign both of them. Caldwell-Pope has already been rumored to be courted by the Atlanta Hawks and Rondo is likely going to opt-out of his current contract to test free agency.

If that were to happen, what would the defending champions’ options look like at point guard? Let’s take a look at some of the top free-agent point guards available.