NBA Rumors: Rondo Opting Out But Return To Lakers Still Possible

Rajon Rondo has accomplished a lot in his NBA career and it is only fitting that he considers better financial offers. He played a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 NBA title triumph but settled for meager pay. Now, the 34-year-old plans to test free agency and see if other teams would be willing to pay him better.

Rondo got around $2.5 million during the 2019-20 NBA season and has a player option in place. He would earn $2.6 million with the Lakers next season if he opts in. As most would expect, the four-time All-Star is opting out to test free agency according to unnamed sources per Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com.

The move may sadden Lakers fans but the thing here is that Rondo can still return to the Lakers. The decision is seen more as a way to get a better contract from their teams. Considering his play last season, there is no doubt that Rondo could get something better with the Lakers or some other team. Rondo even confirmed on ESPN's First Take his plans this offseason.

“I’m definitely going to entertain it,” Rondo said about free agency. “Obviously, always thinking about running it back with a great group of guys and coaching staff. I can’t thank those guys enough for giving me a shot the last couple of years. It’s been amazing playing for this organization.

Rondo played in only 48 games in the regular season, averaging 7.1 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. He upped his numbers a bit in the playoffs, norming 8.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds. However, the value of the 6-foot-1 guard goes beyond the numbers. His playmaking, court leadership and defensive capacity are the things that best describe his value to the team.

Considering the Lakers have yet to find a suitable point guard to lead the way, keeping Rondo would make sense. But with little cap room available, that marriage could end if some team would offer the two-time NBA champion guard a much-better pay.

Also, it would be best to note that Rondo is only the second player to win titles with the Lakers and the Boston Celtics. The first one to do it was Clyde Lovellette who won his first championship with the Minneapolis Lakers in 1954. He would go on to win two more with the Celtics in 1963 and 1964. Lovellette was a four-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988, CBS Sports reported.