If the Los Angeles Lakers want to keep key role player Rajon Rondo for another championship run next season, the organization will have to sign him to a new contract. According to Chris Sheridan of the Basketball News, Rondo is expected to opt-out of his deal with the Lakers this offseason and become a free agent.
Rondo signed a two-year veteran minimum contract with Lakers last year, receiving a player option for 2020/21. The 34-year-old point guard was set to earn $2.69 million next season.
The news about Rondo’s opt-out isn’t unexpected, considering that he raised his stocks in league with some stellar performances for Lakers in this year’s playoffs. This includes 19 points, four assists, and four rebounds outing in the closeout game of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
The most likely outcome of Rajon Rondo’s opt-out will be LA Lakers giving him a slight pay-rise and possibly adding another year to his contract. The team believes the title in 2019/20 is just the first in many to come, so they will look to keep key contributors from the bench.
On the other hand, there is always a possibility that another playoff contender in need of a veteran leadership swoops in with an even bigger offer. In that case, don’t be surprised if you see Rondo sporting a different jersey when the 2020/21 tips off.
Since leaving Boston in 2015 after almost nine years with the franchise, Rondo has been a journeyman in the NBA. Besides the Lakers, he suited up for four more different organizations, including Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans.
