On December 31, Beijing time, according to NBA celebrities such as Shams and ESPN, the Lakers sent Rondo to the Cavaliers, and the deal was officially concluded as soon as tomorrow. Why did the Knights want to get Rondo? Rubio tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was reimbursed for the season. The Cavaliers, who are making a comeback to the playoffs, need to be replaced by an experienced point guard.
As soon as this news came out, many Lakers fans were angry: What is the team doing? Figure what? Let's talk about what the Lakers got in exchange. The Cavaliers accepted Rondo with a base salary exception and did not send any players, which is what we call 1 for 0. But the Lakers got a $1.7 million deal exception that saved $7 million in luxury taxes.
Fans still don't understand: for the $7 million luxury tax, sent away Long Guide? Salary expert Bobby Marks analyzed that the deal allowed the Lakers to free up a place that could be used to sign Stanley Johnson. The Lakers previously signed a 10-day short contract with Johnson with a difficult exception, and after sending Rondo away, they can give him a formal contract.
Stanley Johnson is a front and defensively aggressive, but the three points are too bad. He played in 3 games for the Lakers, averaging 7.7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal per game. He shot 47.1 percent from the field and shot just 20 percent from three-point range. Christmas vs. Nets, he defended Harden. In the Lakers and Rockets game, Johnson was in the starting lineup.
With Collison, the Lakers have had more than 12 guards. Signing a striker and sending away a defender is a correct decision, why is it Rondo who is being traded? So far this season, Rondo has played in 18 games for the Lakers, averaging 3.1 points, 2.7 boards and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 32.4% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range.
Some fans also said: The Lakers originally wanted to play the playoffs while keeping Rondo, and now the team is now difficult to enter the playoffs, so let's play the regular season first. If you only look at Rondo's contribution on the pitch, he really can't help the team much, especially the lack of outside projection ability to open up space on the field.
Rondo's role is not only reflected on the field. He coached young players on the sidelines, even arranged tactics for the team at key moments, and could be used as an assistant coach. If the Lakers make the playoffs, Rondo's experience is also a big advantage. This summer, Rondo and Howard returned to the Lakers, and fans chanted "Ye Qinghui". After playing for less than half a season, Rondo was traded.
Rondo is still in the health and safety agreement, and once he cancels the agreement, he can officially join the Knights. From Rondo's point of view, going to the Cavaliers also has many advantages: he will play more time, and he is currently fifth in the Cavaliers East and is expected to return to the playoffs. Rondo's experience will also bring great help to the Cavaliers' core defender Garland.
Many Lakers fans have feelings for Rondo and are reluctant to let him go. Rondo first joined the Lakers in the 2018 offseason, when he signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the team. In the summer of 2019, he renewed his contract with the Lakers for 2 years and 5.2 million US dollars, and the second year the team option. In the 2019-20 season, he and Howard became the heroes of the Lakers' championship.
In the 2020 offseason, Rondo jumped out of his contract to join the Hawks for $15 million in 2 years. He was traded to the Clippers by the Hawks in March 2021 and sent to the Grizzlies in August 2021. After being bought out by the Grizzlies, Rondo returned to the Lakers on a one-year-end pay contract. Going around, I thought Rondo would be able to finish this season with the Lakers. Now I can only say one thing: goodbye, cherish!