Kobe Bryant has made it abundantly clear he’d love for Rajon Rondo to join him in Los Angeles. Bryant’s bosses, however, aren’t quite sold on the former Boston Celtics point guard.
Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report wrote Wednesday that while the Lakers remain as a potential landing spot for Rondo, who flamed out in Dallas, they almost certainly will not be offering the max contract he said before the season he deserves.
“What should be made clear, according to team sources,” Ding wrote, “is that (Lakers co-owner Jim) Buss is not the believer he was earlier in the season when it comes to Rondo, and (general manager Mitch) Kupchak is toting enough healthy skepticism that he sees Rondo as value only at a certain low price.”
Rondo’s fortunes went downhill in a hurry after his midseason trade to the Mavericks, and following a career-worst playoff performance last week, Dallas effectively cut ties with him. That implosion reportedly — and understandably — turned off many potential suitors, who cite Rondo’s poor free-throw and 3-point shooting, his insistence on having the ball and calling the offense, and the possible negative effect his attitude could have on a locker room.
The Lakers aren’t as down on Rondo as some of their NBA competitors, however, per Ding’s sources, and place value in the fact that the four-time All-Star still is, despite his lack of on-court production, a star.
“What is a real factor is that Rondo is somebody,” Ding wrote. “In somewhat the same manner as trying out Jeremy Lin while attracting his global following, ex-Celtic Rondo coming to town to run with Laker-for-life Bryant does offer cachet.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
