Los Angeles Lakers: 4 back-up point guards to pursue in free agency

By Jason Reed | May 16, 2022

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 11: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 11, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 117-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Ricky Rubio

If the Los Angeles Lakers want someone who can be a better version of Rajon Rondo for them and act as a secondary ball-handler and facilitator next to LeBron James then they should look no further than Ricky Rubio.

Signing Rubio makes no sense if the Lakers do keep Westbrook around but he would be a really savvy signing if the team were to trade Westbrook in a package for, say, Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee. Whether he is in the starting five or comes off the bench, Rubio would provide that Rondo impact but better.

Rubio is not someone who the Lakers are going to be able to sign with a minimum contract, though. It would likely take the Taxpayer MLE for Rubio to sign, which would give him a one-year, $6.4 million deal.

This makes sense for Rubio and should be around his market value after he suffered an injury last season. Rubio was playing really well for Cleveland before getting hurt and that injury does impact his value.

This would allow the veteran point guard to sign a one-year deal, prove that he is still worth something and then sign something along the lines of a three-year, $24 million contract next offseason with another team.

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