NBA salary cap exercise: What player would every team amnesty?

Los Angeles Lakers – Rajon Rondo

Of all the teams reviewed so far, no one has made the move on a player making as little as Rajon Rondo. With player option of $2.6 million for next season the financial commitment for Rondo is almost immaterial and the Lakers could stomach keeping him.

This is more of a function of how important almost every player on the roster is going forward. There are eight players under contract for the 2020-2021 season and three more with player options. You are not using this on Lebron James or Danny Green. Anthony Davis has a player option and is going to be offered a max contract this offseason.

Alex Caruso, JaVale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have shown how important they are to this rotation. Kyle Kuzma is the only young player on this roster the team kept from the Anthony Davis trade for a reason, whether or not that is a reason fans believe in.

So this decision ultimately comes down to Quinn Cook, Rajon Rondo and Talen Horton-Tucker. Talen Horten-Tucker makes $1.5 million so the savings here are minimal. Quinn Cook makes more than Rondo but fits the team much better as a shooter. Rajon Rondo is the only answer.

Rondo had his worst season since his rookie season, averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds. The team is worse with him on the floor and LeBron James essentially plays point guard for the team. While other teams could make the argument for desiring veteran leadership, again see LeBron James. Playoff Rondo is not worth regular season Rondo at this point.