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Should the Los Angeles Lakers Bring Back Former Guard Rajon Rondo For The Upcoming Season

Published 08/16/2021, 10:14 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The Lakers have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA this season. After a season where the Purple and Gold saw their superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis injured and the team struggling in the playoffs, the Lakers knew they had to change things up.

Especially the newer players like Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell couldn’t fulfill their roles and a change looked imminent. The Lakers immediately showed their intent when they added a superstar to their roster as they brought in former MVP Russell Westbrook.

 

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While they did give up multiple players for the trade, the Purple and Gold managed to have some impressive additions as they added a bunch of signings like Wayne Ellington, Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk to name a few. While they look loaded right now, the Lakers have three more roster spots remaining and can add some players.

How will adding Rajon Rondo help the Lakers?

The Lakers this season have been on a roll. Bringing in multiple former Lakers’, the Purple and Gold have had a miny re-union this off-season. LeBron James and Co. can certainly continue this trend by adding a player like Rajon Rondo.

Arguably the third best player in the 2020 Lakers’ championship run, Rondo switched jerseys for cross-town rivals the LA Clippers. While everything looked good on paper, the Clippers experiment did not work for the 2-time NBA champion.

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Recently, the Clippers certainly made their intentions clear as they traded away the veteran. Now with the Grizzlies, Rondo likely will be brought out. If the veteran guard will be available in the free agent market, the Lakers can certainly swoop in.

Rondo has already shown that he can be an effective ball handler alongside LeBron. If he is back in the team, he can certainly take pressure off of ball handlers like Westbrook and Bron.

With Rondo’s playmaking, expect players like Carmelo Anthony and Kendrick Nunn get some easy shots in the second unit. The 35-year-old can also add in points and certainly steps into a different level all-together in the playoffs. Rondo certainly will be a positive addition to the team and can be an instant help.

If not Rondo, who?

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But the Lakers might have some more names to choose from for their vacant roster spots. While Rondo does add in playmaking, his lackluster shooting might be a big let off if the Purple and Gold sign him.

An alternative to the same can be the addition of Isaiah Thomas. The former Celtics’ star was a bucket-getter only a couple of seasons ago. If not for his injuries, Thomas could still be in the NBA.

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He might have played only 3 games in the NBA last season, the veteran looks all set to make a return to the league. In a Pro Am league game, Thomas recently dropped a mind-boggling 81 points and dominated the game.

Apart from IT, the Lakers could also look at James Ennis as a probable addition. A sharpshooting wing, Ennis adds much needed shooting to the lineup. The Lakers’ certainly have many players they can bring in. Will the Purple and Gold continue their re-union tour with Rondo or will they opt for a better fit? Let us know in the comments section down below.

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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