Fansided

NBA Rumors: Lakers cooling on idea of pursuing Rajon Rondo

By Josh Hill

Jan 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) brings the ball up court against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) brings the ball up court against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Rajon Rondo drama has only escalated in recent weeks, and it appears that the Los Angeles Lakers are cooling on the idea of signing him. 

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t pay Rajon Rondo his playoff bonus, didn’t start or play him in their final games and are already washing themselves clean of his ever being there. Not many expected Rajon Rondo to hang around Dallas after the season, but no one expected a flame out like we saw this postseason.

Not only has Rondo damaged relationships with the Celtics and Mavericks, but he might be lighting the fuse on the destruction of bridges he hasn’t even crossed yet.

According to NBA scribe Kevin Ding, the Los Angeles Lakers are cooling on the idea of pursuing Rajon Rondo at all costs this offseason.

"The Lakers have higher priorities when it comes to spending their precious 2015 salary-cap space. They are hopeful of buying a foundational piece—something they aren’t convinced Rondo is.The Lakers will have perhaps $22 million to spend this summer—and they’re somewhat torn internally how much a newly motivated Rondo, 29, might push the franchise forward."

The Lakers were long rumored to be the landing spot for Rondo, even before he was traded to the Mavericks in December. That being said, he flamed out bad at the end of the season and into the postseason and it’s lifted the veil in many ways for potential targets in the summer.

Obviously, there will be interest in Rondo, but he may have devalued himself and shaved off years worth of value that otherwise would have naturally disintegrated. We see stars fade into veteran minimum roles all the time, but it’s rare for a player to force himself into that hole.

Rondo isn’t a minimum  player, but he’s not a max player either and he’s not on the heavy half of that scale.

Someone will give Rondo a contract this offseason — and the Lakers may end up still being that team — but he won’t be getting the money he might have otherwise received.

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