Getty Rajon Rondo on the attack
The Los Angeles Clippers may have finally found the help they’re looking for.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is reporting that the Clips are in talks with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire veteran point guard Rajon Rondo before today’s 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline. Windhorst reported the news in real-time to Max Kellerman and Steven A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take.
Brian Windhorst says on ESPN that the Clippers have their eye on Rondo.
Filling a Need at Point
Playing in his 15th season, Rondo would immediately bring extensive playoff experience, defense, and playmaking to a Clippers backcourt that can no longer rely on Patrick Beverley to stay healthy or on Reggie Jackson to produce consistently.
Rondo was signed by Atlanta in November after helping the Lakers win their 17th NBA title off the bench last season. It was the second ring for Rondo, who previously won one with Boston in 2008 as the fourth cog behind Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
Not unexpectedly, Rondo has played sparingly with the Hawks this year in a backup role to young superstar Trae Young, averaging 3.9 points and 3.5 assists in a little under 15 minutes per game. Atlanta sought Rondo in large part to be a mentor to Young, who has struggled at times with consistency despite often putting up big numbers.
Rondo’s role would almost certainly expand if he were to land with the Clippers, particularly in the playoffs where Rondo has often thrived. Last season with the Lakers, Rondo averaged 25 minutes in 16 playoff games, contributing 8.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Throughout his career, he’s seen time in 121 playoff games, averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals — all better than his career regular-season numbers.
The Clippers, who have been in the market for a steady hand and a creator at point — primarily due to Beverley’s health issues and Reggie Jackson’s limitations defensively and as a playmaker — were interested in acquiring Rondo during the last offseason, but they didn’t want to match the $15 million offered by Atlanta.
To get him now, Los Angeles would most likely have to send Beverley to Atlanta along with either a young player like Daniel Oturu or a second-round draft pick. Beverley, when healthy, would provide Atlanta with elite on-ball defense around the perimeter, which is a glaring hole in Young’s game.
Help Where Help is Needed
Following his sophomore year at Kentucky, Rondo was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2006, but was traded on draft night, along with Brian Grant, to the Celtics for a 2007 first-round pick (which later became Rudy Fenandez). In nine seasons with Boston, Rondo was an All-Star selection four times and led the league in assists in 2012 and 2013 (11.7 and 11.1) and in steals in 2010 with 2.3.
Traded from Boston to the Dallas Mavericks in 2014, Rondo has bounced around the league ever since, mostly as a gun-for-hire, spending time in Sacramento, Chicago and New Orleans, in addition to his recent stints with the Lakers and Hawks. His longevity owes a lot to his reputation as a leader in the locker room, his consistent defense, and his smarts on the court when it comes to facilitating for teammates.
If the Clippers can’t land Rondo, it’s assumed Los Angeles will explore the buyout market for a veteran point guard. Oklahoma City’s George Hill is a prime candidate in that scenario.