Rajan Rondo: "When you want to be a leader, you can't be picky..."

After a summer of mixing and moving, the Los Angeles Lakers are back at the top of the basketball world, with a talented, seasoned veteran and player ready to compete for the title.

While they certainly have a lot to do, the upcoming season will present some daunting challenges.

In a chat with Silver Screen & Roll's Jacob Rudd, Lajeon Rondo talked about what kind of mindset he will have throughout the new season.

"When you want to be a leader, you can't choose," he said. "You have to show up every day. Young and old are watching while you are being criticized or judged. No matter how you felt that morning, you're trying to show it and be consistent. No one likes someone who will only talk about it. You do it with your work, you do it with your discipline and your consistency.

So for me, the most important part is to understand that I don't know all this, that I'm a person who is willing to listen, and that I can learn from Malik Munch or Trevor Ariza," Rondo added. "So having an open mind, rather than being closed off, thinking that you know everything is an important key to being a leader, and I think I've grown something from the past."

Rondo, 35, is a 15-year veteran who has worked in Boston, Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta and (of course) Los Angeles.

After helping the Purple and Gold Win the 2020 championship, he joined the Clippers last season with the goal of helping them become true contenders for the West.

Unfortunately, Rondo couldn't live up to his usual standards in the Clippers' jersey, and it was clear he wouldn't stay long.

When he became a free agent again, he admitted he never considered anywhere else in the past, but instead returned to the Lakers:

There are no other considerations. This is my place, yes, sir.

They talked to me about their role in this team and what they expect me to bring to the team this year, not the last few seasons.

It was ready when my number was called. Obviously, we have a lot of depth in the point guard position. Understand that I'm not going to play as much as I want, or probably want as much, but at the same time as a mentor to young players... Do what I do best.

Rondo averaged 7.6 points and 5.8 assists for the Clippers last season.