Rajon Rondo is a top name on the NBA free agent market this summer and teams like the LA Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets could consider signing the point guard after his run with the Dallas Mavericks, as he is not expected to return to the team after his trade last season.
Rondo is coming into free agency after having an up and down year with the Celtics and then with the Mavericks and that could affect how much money he gets on his contract. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Mavericks and Rondo have agreed to part ways following his issues with the team during the playoffs and now he is poised to sign elsewhere. Bleacher Report writes that Rondo will be a target for the Lakers, but the team is only willing to sign him at a certain price, which means a "discount" contract.
Rondo is 29 and had major surgery in recent years and that has taken a step or two off of his explosiveness, especially on defense. Rondo is still a very solid point guard and while he has a prickly personality, some teams could be willing to overlook that to sign him. The Lakers and Knicks are the main obvious choices, while Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports that the Sacramento Kings could be a "dark horse location" for Rondo to end up.
Rondo previously was considered a target for the Kings last year when he was mentioned in trade talks, but nothing came close to happening. Rondo "didn't appear interested" in the Kings when they showed interest in him, but now things could be different. Of the Kings offer a certain amount of money, Rondo could be very interested in joining, as the team has DeMarcus Cousins and Rondo has a relationship with Rudy Gay. The Kings are interested in making moves this summer and adding Rondo could be an option.
Rondo did not get a playoff share from the Mavericks and that says it all when it comes to how things ended up in Dallas. Rondo's numbers were down a bit this season, but that was more about playing with the Mavs than what he actually was doing. During his last run with the Celtics Rondo put up some strong numbers and averaged 11 assists three seasons in a row before putting up 9.8 per game in 2013 and now he has the chance to try and bounce back. Rondo averaged nine points and eight assists per game in 68 games this season.
The Heat at first glance do not seem like a destination for Rondo, but rumors came up before the team traded for Dragic that Rondo could be a target. Adding to that is the fact that Dwyane Wade is dealing with a contract issue and if Dragic opts to leave over signing a max deal in Miami, the team could consider bringing in Rondo. Wade and the Heat likely will work things out after all the years spent together, but right now things are in a gray area, as Wade wants more money than the team is willing to offer, at least for now.
