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Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ run to their 17th NBA Championship. However, with a much better resume in his hand, the veteran decided to test the waters by opting out of his player option and entering free agency.
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Rondo had signed a two-year contract with the Lakers for $5.1 million before the 2019-20 season. Though his performance in the regular season was average, he came big alongside the Lakers’ superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis during the postseason.
Other than his incredible playmaking, Rondo was also hailed as the on-court coach. He was even part of meetings with the coaching staff. Coach Frank Vogel ran important plays by him when the game was at stake.
Given his contributions, it was rumored that the Lakers wanted to keep Rondo. However, Rondo had other plans for himself. With teams like the LA Clippers and Atlanta Hawks after him, Rondo ended up signing a lucrative contract with the Hawks.
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (left) and center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Was it foolish of Rajon Rondo to pick the Hawks over the Clippers?
After a lot of speculation, Rondo signed a two-year $15 million deal with the Hawks. Many believe that Rondo made a foolish move by going to a team that gave him a better offer, rather than staying with the former titleholders or going with a championship-caliber team like the Clippers.
One such person who believes so is NBA Analyst, Skip Bayless. Bayless is known to be a huge Clippers fan, and this could be why he was furious that Rondo picked the Hawks over the Clippers.
Bayless expressed his anger on Twitter and wrote, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! WHY WOULD RONDO PASS UP BEING THE STARTING PG FOR THE CLIPPERS TO SHARE BACKUP DUTY BEHIND TRAE YOUNG W/ KRIS DUNN??? CLIPPERS COULD OFFER $9.3 MIL TO ATL’S $7.5 A YEAR FOR 2. THIS IS JUST WRONG.”
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! WHY WOULD RONDO PASS UP BEING THE STARTING PG FOR THE CLIPPERS TO SHARE BACKUP DUTY BEHIND TRAE YOUNG W/ KRIS DUNN??? CLIPPERS COULD OFFER $9.3 MIL TO ATL'S $7.5 A YEAR FOR 2. THIS IS JUST WRONG.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 21, 2020
After a premature exit from the playoffs last season, the Clippers were determined to shake up their roster. They were looking for their missing piece for a chance at the title. Rondo could have been that veteran PG that the duo Paul George and Kawhi Leonard need for a deep run in the postseason.
However, it looks like the Clippers have a lot of thinking to do as Rondo has slipped out of their hands. Who will the Clippers target next?