Rajon Rondo and the Grizzlies have agreed to a contract buyout, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter). Rondo was traded to Memphis in a three-way deal that sent Eric Bledsoe to the Clippers.
According to Charania (via Twitter), the 35-year-old two-time NBA champion could be on his way back to Los Angeles, though not to the Clippers. Charania reports that the Lakers are the frontrunner to sign Rondo. If the point guard does return to the Lakers, it would be his third season with the team — he won a title with the team in the 2020 bubble.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link) confirms the Lakers’ interest. Rondo will clear waivers on Monday, and Wojnarowski says he will likely be signed into one of the Lakers’ final roster spots.
While the Lakers did an impressive job filling out their roster following the trade for Russell Westbrook, the backup point guard spot was one notable hole. Rondo was unable to replicate his success with the Lakers in this year’s playoffs run with the Clippers, but should provide a solid, competent play-maker off the bench, especially as young guards Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn are both more likely to see time at the shooting guard spot.
Bobby Marks of ESPN adds (via Twitter) that Rondo was never asked to report to the Grizzlies or take a physical, calling it as sure a sign as you can get that a subsequent move would be made. In a separate tweet, he says that the same is true for Spanish forward Juan Hernangomez.
Rondo is 35 years old. He can replace Schroeder
It’s a perfect match for Lakers
And with the Lakers he will be just the 6th oldest player on the team.
But lakers still way better than rocket.
Even though he is a Clipper reject we will take him and make him better aka Lamar
He was with the Lakers before the Clippers. Clippers was a dialed experiment just like everyone that goes there. He’s a perfect fit for this roster. Nice veteran leader who you don’t need much from during the season, he will step up in the playoffs.
As a season ticket holder I am well aware of where and when Rajon has played. We will need to wash the Clipper stink off of him before he sets foot in our building.
When he was with the Clippers he was in the same building stop being so dramatic
But he was in the Clipper locker room. Need to detox. Won’t get any Clipper love here. Always been a joke, always will
Lol you got issues
Love adding him to the bench, Rajon is a gamer!
Why didn’t Grizzlies trade Rondo to 76ers for TPE?
76ers would be upgraded but pay more luxury tax
Both are benefited
If you pay more tax, you have more assets to trade
Do you really have more assets if you pay more luxury tax? The 76ers are a mess right now. They’ve screwed up the Simmons situation and if they go to camp with him on the roster it won’t be pretty. Portland is going to get a MASSIVE haul from them for Dame.
Because he isn’t worth his contract and an organization paying an extra $20 million( rough estimate with his added salary and luxury tax penalties) for him isn’t smart
Geez. I know playoff Rondo is always better than regular season Rondo, but his stats have been really poor for quite some time.
I sure hope there’s one more playoff Rondo in him.
Rondo to GSW ??
Clippers got rid of rondo because he held kawhi accountable.. shortly after that, they stopped playing him.
Rondo behind Westbrook is not a half-bad idea, they are complementary players.
More like clones. Point guards that can pass and board but can’t shoot.
Lakers can use him, right move. This is probably Lakers last yr of their window. I still don’t see a championship team. But I’m willing to wait till season gets going. I’ll be rooting for Westbrook.