LA Clippers: 3 looming questions following Rajon Rondo trade

Third question following Rajon Rondo trade — Can the guard be the missing piece for the LA Clippers?

Just as they were last season, the LA Clippers are a championship-caliber team. However, despite the collection of talent on the roster, the one missing piece has been a playmaking point guard.

It was clear in their devastating 3-1 collapse against the Denver Nuggets in the postseason last year that they needed one desperately, and it seemed that adding one would be their top priority in the offseason. Ironically, the name that continued surfacing among potential suitors the most was indeed Rajon Rondo, although he eventually signed with the Hawks instead.

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Now, the Clippers have their point guard, and while he certainly does not guarantee that they will overcome their postseason issues now, he undoubtedly helps their cause. Adding Rondo gives the Clippers a ballhandler with one of the highest basketball IQs in the association, which is exactly what they have longed for.

Of course, the endgame here is the postseason and the hope that “Playoff Rondo” can live up to his moniker with the Clippers as they look to rebound from last season’s ugly conclusion. While the Clippers got knocked off in the second round, Rondo had a stellar postseason run with the Los Angeles Lakers that eventually ended with them taking home the NBA title.

In 16 playoff games during that stretch, Rondo averaged 8.9 points on .455/.400/.684 shooting splits, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. The guard’s impact was written all over the Lakers’ playoff run, and the Clippers are unquestionably hoping whether or not he can have that same impact for them.

LA’s roster had the requisite pieces to be a championship team before the move, but the acquisition of Rondo only bolsters their chances. Only time will tell if he legitimately can be that missing piece for them with the postseason inching closer.