Rajon Rondo is one of the NBA free agents this summer and the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings could be interested in signing him in free agency after his run with the Dallas Mavericks, as he is not expected to return and is one of the top point guards available with Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson.
Rondo is coming off of a tough run with the Mavericks after being traded by the Boston Celtics at the deadline and he is not likely to return to Dallas. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rondo is going to be a main target for the Lakers in free agency, but the team only wants him "at a discount", which means not at a max contract. Rondo may end up getting a max contract from someone, but most around the league think he will not sign a deal that lucrative after the way this season went.
Marc Stein was on ESPN Radio following the draft lottery and he said that the Lakers likely would go hard after a point guard, as they should be able to get another big man in Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns to pair with Julius Randle. The team could chase Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol this summer and they likely will speak to those players, but the team may also look elsewhere for free agent help.
Rondo is coming into the offseason after things broke down with the Mavericks and he did not even get a playoff share for his time with the team. Rondo is not going back to Dallas even after the team gave up first round picks for him and now he could be poised to sign in Los Angeles, new York or Houston. The past two years the Rockets have come up in trade rumors regarding Rondo and with Patrick Beverley coming off of an injury, he could be a target.
Goran Dragic is also expected to be a main target for the Lakers and Knicks along with Rondo, but there is a good chance he stays in Miami with the Heat. The Heat can give Dragic the most money and the longest contract of any team and that is why he likely will stay. According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers will only sign Rondo for a certain price and with Jordan Clarkson emerging as a potential star after making the All-Rookie team, the Lakers likely will not break the bank for Rondo.
Rondo's numbers were not impressive last season and they were down from the previous year and that could cause his market to not be as hot as expected. Rondo is getting towards 30 and while he is still a strong defensive player, he is not quite the player he was before his ACL injury. Rondo can be a playmaker and a championship point guard as he showed in Boston, but at this stage of his career he may not be a max contract player anymore. The Lakers are looking to make a quick turnaround and they should be able to start doing that after getting the number two pick in the draft this year.
