LeBron James, Veterans Will Help Young Lakers Core, Rajon Rondo Says

Rajon Rondo has high expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers youngsters and along with LeBron James and the other veterans in the team, plans on helping them get even better.

Rondo signed with the Lakers on a one-year deal after leaving the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent this summer. He joins a number of other veterans such as JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson who also signed on one-year deals.

While it was well-documented the Lakers wanted one more marquee star to complement James, it wasn't to be, and instead, Rondo and company were brought in seemingly until next year when there will be a number of potential free agents available.

Whether Rondo ends up staying beyond 2019 is uncertain, but for the upcoming season, the former NBA champion says he and the other veterans will use their experience to "instill greatness" into the likes of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram.

"We’re going to have to ride the young guys throughout the regular season, even in the playoffs. They’re going to play big for us," Rondo told the official NBA Lakers website. "My expectations are really high for the young guys. They’ll be where they need to be."

"Myself, LeBron, Lance, Mike, we’re all going to be vets that’s trying to instill greatness in these young guys. We’re going to push the (stuff) out of them. I’m sure they’ll rise to the occasion. That’s what they seem like so far. They’ve been in here working their butts off since I’ve been here in early August, so I look forward to getting them to the level they need to play at for us to be contenders."

Rondo added some of the youngsters have already reached out to him for advice, which has been a humbling experience for the former Boston Celtics star.

"Seeing some of the young guys, it’s refreshing and humbling that they’ve reached out and asked me questions to watch film," Rondo added. "They’re (taking in) what I see, the mental part of the game, from a standpoint defensively as far as communication on the court and talking. It’s humbling, but at the same time, that comes with the responsibility and the role I’ve been given with this team this year."

Rondo turns 33 next year and while his numbers have gone down, he is still a pretty effective player, averaging 8.3 points, 4 rebounds and 8.2 assists in the 65 regular season games he played for the Pelicans last season.

The Kentucky native, though, believes he's a much better player now and after being mentored during his years in Boston, spoke of how his knowledge of the game will help him do the same.

"Every aspect of my game has gotten a lot better. As far as understanding the game, my knowledge of the game," Rondo explained. "But I think the biggest thing for me is just my growth as far as leadership. Being able to give as much knowledge as possible to the young guys, because that’s who I’ve been around the last five years of my career (in) Sacramento, Chicago, (and New Orleans)."

"I believe everything in life happens for a reason. Me having great mentors that I had in Boston those five or six years, where it really was a pivotal part of my career, those guys helped me become the player I am today. It all kind of unfolds to today, me doing the same thing that was done for me."