The Los Angeles Lakers have added another former player as they put the finishing touches on their roster for the 2021-22 NBA season. According to multiple reports, the Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal, worth $2.6 million, with veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
Rondo previously played two years with the franchise and helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2019-20. He joins Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, and Dwight Howard on the list of ex-Lakers players who re-joined the organization this offseason.
Rondo is expected to provide depth at the point guard position for the Lakers, something general manager Rob Pelinka has been looking for lately. He should take on the playmaking and ball-handling duties when Russell Westbrook rests.
The 35-year-old four-time All-Star left the Lakers after the championship-winning season to sign a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks in late 2020. Rondo was supposed to be a veteran leader for the Hawks’ young team, but injuries and questionable fit limited his role with the franchise.
After averaging just 14.9 minutes with the Hawks in the first part of the season, Rondo was traded to the LA Clippers ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for Lou Williams and two second-round picks. His stint with the Clippers got off to a better start but failed to be a factor in the playoffs in the way the franchise hoped.
Earlier in August, Rajon Rondo was traded once again, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal that helped the Clippers land Eric Bledsoe. Having surplus options at the position, the Grizzlies ended up agreeing to a buyout with Rondo late last week.
Rondo played 45 games with the Hawks and Clippers last season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
