Fresh off of winning an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rajon Rondo finds himself as a free agent.
The 34-year old point guard declined his player option in the hopes of cashing in on his stellar postseason.
There aren’t any indications as to where he might sign, but Rondo is expected to draw many suitors.
Josh Hart of the New Orleans Pelicans, though, let it be known where he thinks Rondo should play next.
One of my favorite teammates I ever played with. Love him to come back to the Big Easy! https://t.co/GrSK921yI7
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) October 15, 2020
Rondo and Hart both played for the Lakers during the 2018-19 season.
Paying Dividends In LA
Rondo’s tenure with the Lakers did not always go as planned.
He suffered a multitude of hand injuries that limited him to less than 50 games in each of the last two seasons.
In 94 regular-season games with the Lakers, he averaged just 8.1 points and 6.5 assists per game.
However, it still ended up working out in the end for both parties, as Rondo played a crucial role in their title run.
He demonstrated his value with his playmaking abilities, championship pedigree, and high IQ throughout these playoffs.
He was the perfect option off the bench that kept the second unit offense humming without LeBron James.
Rondo still may return to the Lakers, but any team looking to make a deep postseason run would be wise to add him to their roster.
Possible Reunion In The Big Easy?
If Rondo were to sign with the Pelicans, it would be his second stint for the franchise.
He suited up for just a single season in New Orleans during the 2017-2018 campaign.
In his brief stint there, Rondo developed a reputation as a strong positive presence on and off the court.
Rajon Rondo has become the unifying leader of the Pelicans. He is beloved by his New Orleans teammates for what he does for them on and off the floor — as has been the case in his last few stops around the league. https://t.co/ZH0kMMn4Jt
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 6, 2018
He averaged 26.2 minutes, 8.3 points, and 8.2 assists in 65 regular-season games that year.
Rondo also helped lead the Pelicans to their first playoff series win since 2008, sweeping the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the opening round.
The team eventually fell to the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Semi-Finals, but Rondo had a substantial influence in almost every game.
In just nine postseason contests, Rondo improved on his regular-season stats by averaging 10.3 points and 12.2 assists per game.
His most memorable moment might have come in their lone win against the Warriors when he dished out 21 assists in Game 3.
Should he return to the Pelicans, Rondo would play a role in mentoring a young and inexperienced Pelicans squad.
He would likely back up Lonzo Ball, who is a talented passer in his own right.
Since many of the Pelicans, including Hart, Ball, and Brandon Ingram, played in Los Angeles with Rondo, playing in New Orleans would likely be a smooth transition for the 14-year veteran.
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