The NBA free agency period is starting up soon and Rajon Rondo is expected to be a top target for the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, while the and Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Pelicans also could be in the mix for the point guard over returning to the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent following his trade from the Boston Celtics.
Rondo is hitting the market with his value at a decent low point after his tough run with the Mavericks this season. According to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Kings could be one of the top options for Rondo, as they are looking to upgrade at point guard over Darren Collison. If the rumored deal for Ty Lawson does not happen, Rondo likely will be a target for the Kings. Adrian Wojnarowski called the Kings a "dark horse" for Rondo and he reported that the team is shopping Rudy Gay to create cap space to help sign Rondo and other free agents.
The Houston Rockets could be another solid option, as the team is reportedly looking to be aggressive in free agency. The team is setting up a meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge and according to Yahoo Sports, Rondo could be a target if Houston moves on from Patrick Beverley. The Rockets also could look at Jeremy Lin in free agency after trading him to LA last year, but Rondo is the more likely target for Daryl Morey at this point.
Rondo is going to be one of the top free agents on the market this summer with Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson and all three could be targeted by the same teams. Rondo comes in with more experience, but he also has a serious injury in his past and that could keep some teams from going after him. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rondo is likely to leave Dallas if Rick Carlisle remains the coach and if that happens, the Lakers will be his most likely landing spot.
The Knicks are expected to go after Rondo and the Rockets also have a need at point guard, but those teams also want to chase Goran Dragic. According to the Sporting News, the Knicks may go after the younger tier of free agents like Jackson and Greg Monroe over Rondo, as they want to try and build a run of success they can sustain over the next few years. Dragic remains an option along with a trade for someone like Brandon Jennings, but with the cap space the Knicks have, expect them to go hard after Dragic.
Michael Wilbon said on PTI on ESPN that the Lakers are the most logical spot and that Rondo likely will not stay in Dallas after the way this season has gone. Rondo has not really been able to fit in with the Mavericks and after his playoff injury, he likely is done there. The Lakers and Knicks both have a ton of salary cap space this summer and that could lead to Rondo getting a major deal from one of the teams. Rondo reportedly wanted to sign with the Lakers before getting traded to the Mavericks and now he could make that move in free agency.