The front office of the LA Lakers are looking to make some dramatic changes, no matter the cost. It appears the franchise is finally heading in the right direction, but much more work is needed for this team to become a contender for the NBA playoffs.
‘Magic’ Johnson and company are looking to get past the mistakes made over the last five years and the trade with Brooklyn to land Brook Lopez was a major step forward. The team added some quality young players in last months draft and now are looking to add some experience to help those young players become the best they can be.
With the free agent market this week, several teams from around the league have already made headlines and money is being thrown around at historical levels, but look for Los Angeles to take a step in the other direction and add some key players that won’t break the bank and allow for future success by keeping cap space open for next summer when several big name players become available.
Marc Spears of ESPN used Twitter to announce Chicago has released point guard Rajon Rondo, not surprising considering the direction the Bulls are headed, but one team’s trash can become an others treasure.
Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report has expressed that the veterans release could benefit the ‘purple and gold’, even if its just a short-term solution to issues in the back court.
Rondo struggled last season, averaging just 7.8 points and 6.7 assists, but his leadership on and off the court could help mentor rookie Lonzo Ball and give the team some insurance in case of poor play or injuries next season.
The NBA has become a league of haves and have-nots and for the case of the LA Lakers, they definitely need some work to return to the glory days of the past. It will take time and patience and the moves made already this summer and the possible addition of a couple key veterans, could be just what this franchise needs to get the fans excited and the first step in returning to a championship caliber team.
mushi
Guest
Yep. He's hardly been the model team mate at any stop along the way and sure he played well in 1 game vs the C's - hard to overlook the rest of his mailed in skid mark year because of one playoff game.
astro
Guest
I'm not saying Clarkson or Ennis are the answers, but I'd rather invest my time and energy into players with some potential to develop, than a vet like Rondo who passes first mainly because he cant and wont shoot, and doesn't 'play a bit of defense'...he plays no defense at all! I actually don't think the Lakers will sign Rondo. There have a pretty full roster already, and there are/will be better vets available for them to pursue on one-year contracts. Someone like Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford, assuming he is bought out by the Hawks, would be a better fit.
joe
Guest
Bringing in Rondo to mentor young players is a disaster waiting to happen.
Larry Seely
Roar Rookie
With Walton as coach, Clarkson played more at the two guard position late in the year and did well. Not sure Ennis is the answer, though he's still young, but averaged just two assists in 17 minutes of action last season. Rondo isn't much of a scorer, but he does move the ball around and that is always something young players need and with the offensive scheme the LA Lakers now run, they need someone that can pass first and play a bit of defense.
astro
Guest
Dumped by the Celts, Dallas, Kings and now Bulls in consecutive years...Forgive me if I'm not convinced Rondo is the guy to mentor my young star PG. Besides, don't the Lakers have PG depth in Clarkson and Ennis?
Bexdog
Guest
Rondo was playing his best ball in years against the c's in the 1st round of the playoffs before he was injured. I can't see him not getting picked up
Ben Sewell
Roar Pro
Great insight mate. I think Rondo would be a great back up to Lonzo and would help him immensely in his development.