The Los Angeles Lakers were seriously considering adding a playmaker before the NBA trade deadline but fell short. They extended the search in the free-agent market and almost got Darren Collison to fill up that void. Unfortunately, Collison opted to stay retired, and the Lakers ended up signing Markieff Morris. But as most know, the twin brother of Marcus Morris of the Los Angeles Clippers hardly fit the bill of a point guard.
Getting a point guard was to relieve LeBron James of playmaking duties. With the developments, James will continue to orchestrate plays with Rajon Rondo backing him up. But in the eyes of critics, the 34-year-old could move up to the point guard position and save the Lakers the trouble of getting a new face. It all depends on what head coach Frank Vogel plans, but most are convinced the former NBA champion can step up to that role.
This is what teammates Jared Dudley and Danny Green discussed on "Inside the Green Room" podcast. Both feel that if Rondo finds a way to step up, the Lakers bid for the NBA title should be better. With James sitting out against the Warriors due to a groin injury, all eyes on what the four-time NBA All-Star can do. He has hardly made an impact this 2019-20 NBA season, but things could change soon if he wants to and if he is given the chance.
Rondo has played in 41 games averaging 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. He is also shooting well from the field (42.4 percent) and three-point territory (34.9 percent). But as most know, scoring is more of a bonus from Rondo. They need him to facilitate and make his teammates look good above anything else. It is basically the same role he had with the Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans.
If there is a perfect time for Rondo to show he still has what it takes to be a good point guard, that time would be now. He is one of the overlooked players this NBA season, and he remains a reliable player to turn to. Rondo has had his share of injuries this season, something that has slowed him down. With the league now in the penultimate stretch, the time for the 21st pick of the 2006 NBA Draft is undoubtedly now.
Vogel will give Rondo several tries, which will hopefully turn out great. James needs all the help he can get if the Lakers want to complete their goal of winning an NBA title once more.
