ESPN Los Angeles NBA writer Arash Markazi thinks signing Rajon Rondo to a max deal would be a huge mistake because it would kill the opportunity for them to land Russell Westbrook two years from now.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been targeting Rajon Rondo the past two seasons, and they are expected to continue their pursuit for the pass-first point guard this summer. Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles believed signing Rondo to a lucrative, long-term contract would be a big mistake, as he claimed such move would only ruin their chance of acquiring a better court general in Russell Westbrook in 2017.
In the latest Lakers 3-Point Open Forum, Markazi opined that committing a max contract for Rondo could end up a disaster for the franchise, primarily because the point guard is about to turn 30-years old next year and his numbers have taken a nosedive significantly since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL two years ago.
Rondo started the season with the Boston Celtics before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in December, averaging 8.9 points, 7.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 29 minutes per game this season.
Instead of going 'all in' for Rondo, Markazi suggested that the Lakers should focus on adding talents to their frontline and further develop Jordan Clarkson into the best player he can be until Westbrook becomes an unrestricted free-agent in the summer of 2017.
"No. I think giving Rondo a big contract would be the worst mistake they could make. I think Russell Westbrook is the long-term fix at point guard when he becomes available, and in the short term, the answer is Clarkson. Giving Rondo a long-term, big-money contract would be a big mistake at this point in his caree," Markazi stressed.
The 26-year old Westbrook won the scoring title this year after jacking up his point production to a league-best 28.1 points per game to offset Kevin Durant's absences due to a foot injury. The former UCLA standout also recorded 11 triple-doubles this season, averaging 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds per outing.
Unfortunately, his all-around brilliance wasn't enough to keep the Thunder's five-year postseason streak alive, as the New Orleans Pelicans grabbed the final playoff spot in the West on the last day of the regular-season.