The NBA free agent class this year has Rajon Rondo as one of the notable names and teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings could be potential targets for the point guard along with Goran Dragic and this comes as he is not likely to return to the Dallas Mavericks after his trade this year.
Rondo did not have a great run with Dallas after his trade from the Boston Celtics, but he is expected to be a top target for teams on the market. Rondo could be in line for a max contract depending on where he signs, but at his age with his injury history, it's likely that he will not get a max deal on the market. Goran Dragic is looking to get a max contract, while players like Reggie Jackson, Brandon Knight and Jimmy Butler are also available with some of them as restricted free agents.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rondo is expected to be a main target for the Lakers this summer, but the team is not willing to sign him to a max contract. Bleacher Report writes that the team is expecting to try and get Rondo at a "discount" and that they will only sign him at a certain price. Earlier in the season reports had the Lakers going hard after Goran Dragic with a max contract, but all signs point to him remaining with the Miami Heat for next season.
Rondo had a tough run with the Mavericks and that could hurt him in free agency, as he did not look good during his time with the team. Rondo had clashes with the head coach and eventually was ruled out of the playoffs due to an "injury" and the sides have basically agreed to part ways. Rondo is not expected to return to Dallas and that leaves the Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Rockets and Kings as some likely destinations.
The Lakers and Rondo have long been connected in rumors, while the Rockets also have been interested in trading for Rondo in the past. The Rockets need to make some moves, as they have Patrick Beverley coming off of an injury and the team is expecting to try and build on the success this season with James Harden and Dwight Howard. The Pacers could jump in, as they had interest in Rondo last year, while the Kings also have been rumored to have interest in a trade for Rondo in the past.
The Lakers plan on spending in free agency, as Over the Cap reports that the team has over $25 million in projected cap space this summer. The Lakers are hoping to get a new star to help soften the blow once Kobe Bryant retires and if Kevin Love doesn't opt out from his contract, names like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol will be the top targets. The Knicks and Celtics have money to spend and they also could target some of those players, with Frank Isola saying the Knicks signing Monroe is nearly a guarantee. The Lakers want to add some free agent support for Bryant, as they are hoping to get one more run in the playoffs with their star.
