The NBA free agent market has Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic as the top veteran point guards and in free agency teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers could be interested in chasing Rondo, as he is not expected to return to the Dallas Mavericks, while Dragic is expected to stay with the Miami Heat.
Rondo is coming in after a tough run with the Mavericks and that could hurt his standing a bit on the free agent market. Rondo was traded during the season to Dallas for a first round picks, but the deal did not work out so well for the Mavs. Rondo took time to get used to the offensive system and the team was not very effective with him at point guard. Rondo reportedly did not get a playoff share with the Mavericks and there was some tension with him and the coaching staff.
All of that was not a major surprise, as Rondo has been known as a prickly player, but that is part of his game. Rondo is still considered an above average defender, but he is not as explosive on that side of the floor as he once was. Rondo was likely hoping for a max contract offer this summer, but with the way things played out in Dallas, he may not get offers like that. According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers are going to be an option for Rondo, but they only want him at a "discount" contract, which means not a max deal.
The Lakers and the Knicks are going to have a ton of money to spend and both teams have needs at point guard. Rondo is going to be a target for those teams and he also could be an option for the Rockets and the Kings. Those teams were reportedly interested in Rondo at the trade deadline and now that he is on the market he could get offers from those clubs as well. The Rockets had Patrick Beverley injured and they could move on from him, while the Pacers have long coveted a point guard like Rondo or Dragic.
The Knicks likely will go after Rondo, but they may not offer him big money either, as they could concentrate on the younger group of free agents. According to the Sporting News, the team is going to go after Reggie Jackson, Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight first, but they could circle back to Rondo. This season Rondo averaged nine points and eight assists per game and those numbers were slightly down from what he has done in the past.
Rondo was able to play in 68 games this season and that was his most since back in 2010 with the Celtics when he averaged 10 points and 11 assists per game. Rondo has played in 68 games combined in 2012-2013 and any team that signs him knows that his numbers may continue to decline. Rondo can still play strong defense and if he doesn't ask for a ton of money, there are teams out there that will pay him a solid contract. The Knicks or Lakers could end up with Rondo if Dragic stays in Miami, while the Rockets also should be in the mix.