Los Angeles Lakers: 3 ways losing Rajon Rondo would hurt the Lakers

Rajon Rondo is expected to opt out and become a free agent. His departure could be a devastating loss for the Los Angeles Lakers.

As Rajon Rondo has been the biggest unexpected contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 championship run, he is also now the most important piece they are risking to lose among all the free agents and players with options on their contracts in the offseason.

Winning the title with the Lakers, Rondo solidified his case as a future hall of famer.

His early career was marked by a championship in his sophomore season, repeated playoff success, and a rapid ascension as one of the best facilitators in the game. But following a torn ACL and a journey among multiple teams in the league with mixed results, his status dropped dramatically.

Among the players he was still respected as an extremely intelligent player and a fearful leader, but the value and perception around him was not what promised to be in his Boston days anymore.

Finally returning to conquer a ring as an instrumental piece for LA late in his career, Rondo became the only player to ever win it with both the historic and rival franchises Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

The narrative has suddenly changed, and now he is once again an appealing floor general on the open market expected to be at the center of a bidding war to secure his services.

Riding this renewed success Rajon will test the market and see what contenders are going to offer him in terms of money, contract length and championship chances. This could be his last opportunity to secure some financial.

The recent Lakers’ trade that landed Dennis Schröder suggests that the chance are high for Rondo to leave.

Still, the game is all to be played, and he might very well end up in the Lakers uniform, but the possibility of losing him is something front office, team and fans have to face.

Here is three ways his loss could hurt the Lakers.