On December 31, Beijing time, as the season continues, many teams in the NBA are currently plagued by injuries and epidemics, so as many as 11 games have been postponed. At the same time, there is also an undercurrent in the trading market, and the Lakers are ready to change the current lineup in the case of poor performance, and the first transaction of the season is about to surface.
Today's revelation from the NBA's famous journalist Shams is that the Lakers are currently close to trading Rondo to the Cavaliers, and the two sides are further finalizing the specific details of the transaction, and it is expected to reach an agreement on Friday (Beijing time this Saturday). Currently, Rondo is quarantined for triggering a health and safety agreement in the league, and will be sent to the Cavaliers by the Lakers when the quarantine is lifted. It can be said that Rondo leaving the Lakers to join the Cavaliers is already a foregone conclusion.
As the 2019-20 Lakers' hero guard, Rondo has come to the Lakers again after the Hawks, Clippers and Grizzlies last season. Because the Lakers have as many as 10 guards this season, Rondo has not been given many opportunities to play. In his 18 games, he averaged 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 32.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range. Therefore, for the Lakers, Rondo's role is not very dispensable.
But for the Cavaliers, it's important to get an experienced guard like Rondo, because earlier last month Sexton meniscus tearing season reimbursement, yesterday Rubio ligament tear season reimbursement, which left the team guard short of manpower. The Cavaliers, who currently have a fifth-high record in the West, want to make a difference this season, so they need Rondo's excellent tandem and playoff experience.
Considering that Rondo's contract is a veteran base salary, the deal does not require salary matching. Rondo's departure could help the Lakers save about $7 million in luxury taxes, while getting a $1.7 million deal exception and vacating a spot in the team's big roster.
According to subsequent reports from reporters, the Lakers will use this vacated position to sign Stanley Johnson. Stanley Johnson is currently on a short 10-day contract, and the contract is about to expire, in these three games for the Lakers, Johnson's excellent mobility and defensive ability have impressed the Lakers, is the team's much-needed forward player, and only 26 years old, there is still potential to explore.
Prior to that, Brian Windhorst reported that the Lakers had considered laying off Jordan Jr. and leaving Stanley Johnson. Now with Rondo being traded, Jordan Jr. is safe for the time being, and after half a season of use, Jordan Jr.'s role is indeed limited, and defense is a big problem.