Rajon Rondo signals end of Lakers tenure by thanking fans on Instagram

Rajon Rondo’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers has apparently come to an end.

Rajon Rondo just won the second NBA championship of his career a month ago, but his time with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers has apparently come to an end already.

Despite coming up big for the Lakers in the playoffs with 8.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game on .455/.400/.684 shooting splits, Rondo signaled the end of his brief tenure in LA on Saturday.

In a post on Instagram, the 14-year veteran thanked Lakers fans and the organization for their support, all but officially confirming he’ll be signing with another team in 2020 free agency.

Rajon Rondo said his farewell to Lakers fans

“Thank you to the Lakers organization, Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] for giving me the opportunity to play for an incredible franchise,” he wrote in the caption. “The professionalism and support from Frank [Vogel], the coaching staff and support staff is something I’m truly grateful for. With my guys, there’s an amazing brotherhood that only we know. To the fans … thank you for welcoming me with open arms from Day 1 and showing me love. Being [a part] of #LakeShow was something special and I’m proud we brought it back to you! Now, what’s next … ”

With cap space being limited this summer, Anthony Davis’ extension to sort out and deals to bring in Wesley Matthews on the Bi-Annual Exception and Montrezl Harrell on a bargain signing for the Mid-Level Exception, the Lakers only had so many avenues to recruit talent this offseason. Despite Rondo’s important role coming off the bench, he was expendable for a Lakers squad that just traded for Dennis Schroder.

Rondo is expected to receive interest from the Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers as an unrestricted free agent. Only time will tell where he ends up next, but at least the former Boston Celtic was able to bid a fond farewell to the Lakers fans who embraced him.