The Cavaliers are set to acquire Rajon Rondo from the Lakers in exchange for Denzel Valentine, which will mark the first trade of the 2021/22 regular season. Valentine, who’s on a partially guaranteed contract, is expected to be waived by Los Angeles.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (via Twitter), Rondo is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play more minutes with the young Cavs and was happy to learn of the trade after the Lakers informed him that it was a possibility.
Here are some more details on the transaction, which has yet to be officially completed:
- In an Insider article for ESPN-plus, Kevin Pelton grades the trade for both teams. He likes the Lakers’ side of things more and isn’t optimistic about Rondo’s performance for the remainder of the regular season.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic, however, thinks it’s a deal that makes sense for both the Cavs and the Lakers. Hollinger notes that Cleveland is desperate for another ball-handler after season-ending injuries to Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton, and with Darius Garland and Cedi Osman still in the health and safety protocols. With Rondo as a short-term solution, the Cavs will buy themselves some time to remain in the playoff hunt, but Hollinger thinks they’ll still be active on the trade market in search for more backcourt help. The Lakers, meanwhile, save approximately $3.1MM in luxury tax payments and free up a roster spot, presumably to sign Stanley Johnson.
- Bobby Marks of ESPN provides a video breakdown of his thoughts on the trade. Like Hollinger, Marks thinks the deal is a win-win for both teams, with the Lakers saving money and opening a roster spot, and Rondo providing leadership and high basketball IQ to the Cavs. He views it as a no-risk deal for Cleveland.
SMH nothing more embarrassing than watching LeBron showboat beating a lottery team with almost all their starters out. Don’t worry trailblazer fans T-wolves will destroy the Lakers next game and bring LeBron back to earth.
Don’t blame the Lakers for Dame not being Dame this year. He’s fully capable of carrying that team over this Laker team.
Aren’t the Timberwolves also a lottery team? We’re not talking about Jordan’s Bulls here coming to takedown the “evil” Lakers. Lol
Minnesota could be the thumped or the thumper, flip a coin.
Enjoy the game kiddo
Hoops Rumors needs to open an ongoing thread so you guys can all sort out your personal issues with the King, a support group of sorts. Until then let’s try to stay on topic
Its already 2022 and arc89 is still in love with the washed up king, LOL!!
Just pointing out why people either love or hate LeBron. Lebron loves himself more than anything.
You weren’t “just” anything
This is a Rondo to the Cavs article
People either Love or Hate because that’s the only way this generation knows how to think.
How about some nuance and a little respect at minimum for one of the greatest players to ever play. There is a world where you can hate Twitter LeBron and still respect his game.
The rants do nothing except show your lack of basketball IQ and need for attention constantly. Grown men don’t act like this, well I guess they kinda do nowadays but you still have a choice
link to cbssports.com
“Lakers’ LeBron James becomes oldest player since Michael Jordan to record 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game cbssports.”
So a 34 pt win is not impressive enough. I’m not even a Laker fan. Haven’t watched them enough to really talk about them. But at (18-19) they are the 7th seed. And 2 gms out of the 5th seed. So why all the Freakin drama. They are obviously a talented team. Trying to find their chemistry. You can’t do that unless everyone plays. Lakers will be in playoffs. And that 1st rd series will be must watch.
Too many haters on HoopsRumors lol.
Everything wrong with the lakers was shown last night. Up 30 points to start the 4th quarter is when you take out your older players and play the bench. Get them a lot of playing times so they are ready when you need them to be ready.
arc except their starters haven’t played together enough. Lakers still trying to find their chemistry. I don’t see them coming out of west. But they will be a tough out in playoffs. Vets know what this team and season is about bro.
Thing is that is their problem their bench guys see so few minutes when they come in they can’t get in synch. As much as people love James he is going to be tired at the end of the season. Vogel uses him way too many minutes.
You can move the goalposts wherever you want but we know the truth that no matter what James does it won’t ever be enough for you
This isn’t a basketball take, this you you spilling your feelings on the page. You can do better
@cap&crunch I hope you mean Jordon as king. LBJ is far from the king of the NBA. There are definitely other players more deserving of that title. Some guys even before Jordan’s run in the NBA.
I hate the GOAT rant because sports is always changing and different players played under different rules. There is no GOAT in any sport.
This I can agree with you wholeheartedly on and is a solid basketball related post. +1
Blazers fans have bigger problems then just losing to the Lakers. They are getting beat by everyone this year.
Rebuild time, bye bye Dame time
Blazers need to do a rebuild.
There’s nothing wrong with James , Davis or Westbrook. The only problem is they are on the same team and with that salary structure, 3 guys putting you over the cap it was doomed from the start. Throw in Davis is always hurt, James is old and all 3 need the ball to be successful it was a horrible fail and was always going to be. Throw in COVID, injuries and a bunch of either too old, too young or not too good players and well you have the Lakers. If this really was James idea, It was a dumb one.
Westbrook is tradable
Westbrook for John wall straight up, man
Straight up
Stanley Johnson getting a good opportunity there. Being from LA should pump him up. Lakers need him to succeed more than he knows. Go for it bro.
Rondo is going to help the Cavs.
Is this team 10 for Rondo in the last 5 years? I still love that guy
I only wonder why the lakers took Valentine in return, to then waive him. How much luxury tax would they have avoided if they didnt take a player back? If Cleveland gave them minimal cash considerations or a super super heavily protected pick.
Makes no difference, LAL won’t pay a single cent to Valentine, as he has earned more than his guarantee, he comes cost 0 to the LAL!
So there is a win for the gold & purple!
I hope it works out for Johnson. He’s always played hard but his shot is a problem. Rondo might have a second wind with better team players around him on the Cavs.
Rumors about Pacers moving Sabonis or LeVert. They must be nuts. Or else it’s a full rebuild. Nice gm today with Bulls. DeRozan is the man this yr. But check out Pacers stats
Sabonis – 24 pts, 14 reb, 6 ast
LeVert – 27 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast
These are two good players. Would help any team
They aren’t giving them away for free. They just realize they need a rebuild because they can’t win even with how good those guys are and how much depth they have.
Yes those are two good players. Sabonis especially. But, they are apparently seeing that this roster can’t win big as currently constructed so they need to move some pieces and try something else, not a full rebuild just something different.
The X factor for them still is TJ Warren wherever he is and his health has been a big question mark since his bubble outburst.
Anyways how did this rondo, cavs, lakers post become about the pacers? lol
Nowhere else to post it. Great gm so I had to do it…..
This a good account of the Rondo trade. To me Lakers still got time to right the ship. But imo the window is closed now. Cause it only gets harder next yr.
link to cbssports.com
Bring back Micheal Beasley
Rondo could help Garland just by being there. They are kind of opposite but I think Rondo in the beginning was Not known for hollering at teammates like he is now. Of course the Garnett-Pierce-Perkins-Allen gang would not be easy to holler at for anyone, and R ondo was a youngster then.
Garland is a mellow one— he barely had experience with grown-up BB when he was drafted.
I would like if the C’s would’ve gone after him instead just maybe (big maybe) he could’ve been that voice and vet leader they need right now
Great trade for the Lakers not very good for the Cavs. Valentine is a severely underrated player due to his ankle injury the past few years. Valentine can dribble, pass, and shoot, and immediate becomes one of the Lakers best 3pt shooters. Valentine is low risk high reward type with the potential to make a few All Star teams if he gets his career back on track. As for Rondo, he is a short term fix with no real potential for the Cavs after this year. Great trade for the Lakers not a good one for the Cavs. Cavs should have kept Valentine and utilized him more as a playmaker, and kept his as a 5th-8th man rotation player.
Valentine won’t even play for lakers. He will be waived.
Darnell Valentine has a better chance of becoming an All-Star in the future than Denzel Valentine.
When a guy is set back by injuries and they affect display it’s not like he can come back from those and be the player he was. Injuries slow you down even after recovery.., depending on the injury.
Bad luck for Denzel with the injuries but I don’t think he had a shot in the NBA anyway. He was drafted way too high as a 6-5 do everything forward who isn’t exceptional in any one area. Classic case of fantastic college player who doesn’t make it in the pros for that reason. Big name, big school, then a flop.
Guess you didn’t read the article. Cavs aren’t looking for a future piece, they needed another veteran ball handler after losing Rubio. Valentine was put in deal to match salaries so the trade could happen, Lakers are waiving him so they can sign Jackson. Neither team looks at this trade as a way to acquire future assets, it’s all about the current season.
*Stanley Johnson, not Jackson
They ain’t winning the East this year, I believe they should have took the long road.
The way they’re playing though they’ll take this opportunity and see what happens. It’s not every year that the Cavaliers are going to have success like this outside of LeBron James. I think it’s a wise move to pick up someone like Rondo at this time.
You lose Rubio. Picking up Rondo for a player who will be waived. Is an excellent addition. Rondo is considered one of smartest player of his generation. He can mentor Cavs young guards and players. Plus he can still give you mins backing up. And he shows up in the playoffs. Nothing to hate about this trade.
Then throw in the fact Cavs are having a decent year. It’s a no brainer. Plus Rondo doesn’t have a contract for next year.
Rondo ain’t mentoring anyone… ever. Rondo has always been a moody guy, and unless he is on the floor distributing I question the fit. Remember is has been moved several times due to issues with coaches, front offices and his playing time. He is a guy at the end of his playing days and appears to have somewhat accepted that reality. Absolutely a clutch playoff player but tell me what young player cites Rondo as a mentor?? I can’t find a single young player on any of his teams that directly said rondo helped with their progression or evolved while playing with him.
Rondo cost Cle nothing.. not even a protected 2nd.. Lakers GM did awful job.
W covid 10 day signings.. for Cle to get Rondo for nothing us a steal.
Rondo is one of top 5 greatest pick n roll players of past decade…
Lakers played him off ball… Rondo stood in corner while Russ goes 1 on 3 & Lebron would isolate & kick.
That is not how Rondo plays. Je needs to have ball in his hands.
JB will give him keys to the Rolls .
Look for Rondo to be like playoff Rondo. Look how good Cavs made Rubio look.
Rondo still a pnr maestro..
Hes still got great hands & reach to anticipate steals on Def. And if he gets blown by 1 on 1. Hes got 2x Def anchors behind him.
Rondo also has greatly improved his 3pt shot over the years. Watch Rondo come in & avg 14.6 pt 9.2 ast 7.5 rebs and 1.8 steals a gm over 28 mins a night.
Rondo will be throwing lobs to Allen & Mobley and will revitalize his career. He will be playoff Rondo & Lakers fans will say why didntbhe play like that for us..
Its bc Vogel had Rondo in the corner while Russ went 1 on 3 on other side of court. And Lebron would isolate in post & kick.
Lakers 100% did not win this trade…
Rondo going to cavs is an A+ move for Cavs.. especially with covid & 10 day signings gor Cavs to get Rondo with giving up no 2nd is a steal. Anyone trying to say Lakers won this trade will be eating their words in a few wks time. Heres why.. Rondo is one of best PnR maestro in the league in the past decade. Even at 35 he can run a team & setup teammates. In LA they had him playing off ball. Bron & Russ had the ball all the time & Rondo didnt have opportunities to get into a flow. When you get older you need more minutes to get blood flowing. JB will call Rondo into office & literally hand him the keys to the Rolls. What you need to know is Rondo is ELITE pick n roll player. J Allen & Mobley catching lobs.. Mobley Maurkkenan Love pick n pop.. Garland shooting 3s off screens & Okoro slashing.. Cle offense will get vet leadership & it is an instant upgrade over pangos. And Defensively ofc Rondo lost a step but his hands & anticipation playing lanes w reach will lead to many steals. Rondo can be a plus defender bc he now has 2x Def anchors behind him.
And lets not forget accountability & coach on court & intangibles. Rondo will teach Garland & Okorro so many trucks of the trade & make sure they are in right positions.
This is a STEAL FOR THE CAVS… no 2nd rd picks at all & give up Valentine for Rondo is a Steal for Cavs. Cle will instantly give him Rubios minutes & it will be instant chemistry with the Pick and Roll Maestro. Remember the PNR maestro is still one of the best to ever do it at 35. He will get 25 – 30 mins a night & get Cle 10 plus assists a night and be a plus Defender…
Offensively Rondo has greatly improved his 3 pt shot & with getting more minutes & a rythym & actually being a huge part in this teams success expect Playoff Rondo to make a return to Cle.
The Lakers played Rondo off Ball, did mot give him enough minutes & decided to let Westbrook lead the 2nd unit. Defensively Rondo is a great Team defender & knows how to play but he needs Rim protection behind him ehich LA does not have st all. Cle does!
This move here along with other moves Koby Altman has made this yr will earn him GM of the year this year. These ifiotic analysts giving Cavs a C and Lakers an A are idiotic. Lakers could & should have got a 2nd rd pick even if it had heavy protections.
Cavs got Rondo with no Ridks at all. With Trade deadline looming look for Cle to make another move potentially if it makes sense to do so. They now got a 18mil expiring contract that is highly sought after by teams looking for cap space & those in luxury tax. J Harris and Nets 60 mil tax this yr is available. Also Hawks need Cap relief for next year & Hou wants Cap space. Player like E Gordon can be had & if J. Wall is willing to agree to long term deal like 4yr 72mil (3yr 60mil guaranteed) yr 4 only has 6mil guaranteed.
Wall is owed 1 yr 48mil in his player option. If he opts in which he will unless he agrees to a 3 or 4 yr deal he will not play in Hou. So he sits for 2 yrs. And is FA. Most he will get is a Vet min deal at 2.6 mil. A mid level exception at best.
So if wall agrees to 4 yr 72 mil deal. Thats extra 24mil over 3 yrs minus 48mil he make over 1 yr. Thats 8 mil a yr, which is better than vet min. Even at 60 mil over 2 yrs thats 12 mil over 2 yrs or 6 mil per. Still better than vet min or MLE..
Not only that but Wall gets to start playibg again. Wall will 100% still get paid his 48mil dollars owed. But stretching it out over 3 or 4 yrs keeps Wall employed into his mid 30s. J Wall still elite PnR player and would fit nicely in Cle as backup pg & closer. The only way any team takes on Wall is if he agrees to opt out last yr 48mil & extends payment to a 4 yr 72mil type of deal. This cap hit of 18mil- 20mil is much more doable than 1yr 48mil.
Also look for Kyrie Irving to opt out and come back to Cle with this young Defensive core. Cle makes perfect sense for kyrie aftwr this yr. His relationship is broken w KD & front office. Its more than vaccine. Goes back to Harden trade. Remember last yr Irving taking leave & time off. Irving & KD are in splitsville & nets front office want to move irving now b4 he walks for nothing in FA. Irving has all power w player option & threatening retirement is calculated statement by irving to have all leverage. No team giving up 35 mil in assets for a few month rental. Look for Irving to walk at yrs end and go back to team that drafted him.
Garland
Irving
Okoro
Mobley
Allen
Maurkkenan
Love
Sexton
Is quite the deep team..
Look for Cle to move assets to get Simmons a Defense point forward..
Then this starting lineup.
Garland
Irving
Simmons
Mobley
Allen
They are going to be instant favorites in the East by adding Irving.
And Kyrie always loved Cle. He couldn’t stand being in James shadow. Now he is in KD & Harden shadow. Hes 3rd wheel.
Irving with young Cavs team becomes the guy..
Cle dont give up no assets for him & knowing kyrie will be short twem deal. Irving wants challenges. Trying to bring multiple championships to Cle will make him greatest Cav ever & Remember it was his 3 that won Cle the title in Gm7.
Cle has alot of options going forward and Altman is on cusp of building a dynasty. Cavs & Memphis have the best young core & assets in NBA. Look for them to be in finals un 3 – 5 yrs.
Thoughts?