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Los Angeles Lakers: Grading their moves during NBA free agency

By Matthew Hallett

Aug 10, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Russell Westbrook is introduced at Los Angeles Lakers press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Russell Westbrook is introduced at Los Angeles Lakers press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers NBA free agency move No. 2: Rajon Rondo

After being a major player in the 2020 championship run, Rajon Rondo decided to try to maximize his earnings in the final part of his career. To that end, Rondo signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks worth $16.5 million but things did not work out as planned.

Rondo was injured some of the early parts of the season and when he did play he was not able to work well with the younger Hawks. He is a player who needs veterans around him for his game to be truly effective. Due to the second unit needing a more dynamic scorer, the Hawks traded Rondo to the LA Clippers for Lou Williams.

Rondo certainly played a lot better with the Clippers squad and looked likely to stay there for the second season of his contract. This was not the case as Rondo was moved to the Grizzlies and then waived, leaving him free to sign on again with the Lakers.

Rondo brings a solid playmaking ability to the franchise and will be an able backup for Russell Westbrook. His pass-first mentality is directly opposed to Schroder’s shoot-first mentality which is going to make the Lakers a much more dangerous team again this season.

Grade: B

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