Rajon Rondo officially re-signs with Los Angeles Lakers

Rajon Rondo is on his way back to Hollywood. But can he return to “Playoff Rondo” form once again for the Los Angeles Lakers?

First reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and later confirmed by the Lakers, the 35-year-old Rondo has signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal with L.A. after he cleared waivers on Monday. He previously played with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2020-21 season but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this month as part of the Eric Bledsoe deal. The Grizzlies later bought Rondo out, making him a free agent.

OFFICIAL: He's Baaaack. pic.twitter.com/ax1JazGJ59

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 31, 2021

Rondo returns to L.A.

Rajon Rondo, who has played 15 years in the NBA after spending two seasons at Kentucky from 2004-06, will suit up for his second stint with the Lakers once this move becomes finalized. The 6-foot-1 point guard was in L.A. from 2018-20, appearing in 94 total games, including 32 starts. Rondo averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over his two seasons with the Lakers.

While Rondo hasn’t been the same player he was when he first arrived in the league with the Boston Celtics, where he made four All-Star and four All-Defensive teams, he has proven to be a helpful addition over the years.

In his second and final season with the Lakers, he was an important piece in leading the franchise to its 17th NBA championship, particularly during the Orlando bubble that came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that trip to Florida, Rondo earned the nickname “Playoff Rondo” for his unexpected impact on most of the postseason alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Rondo put up figures of 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in those 16 playoff outings for the Lakers. But even more surprising? He shot 40 percent from 3-point range on 50 total attempts. Rondo also shot 40.4 percent from deep in 2020-21 on 2.0 attempts per outing as a member of the Atlanta Hawks and L.A. Clippers.

By signing Rondo, the Lakers got even older than they already were but that appears to be the front office’s gameplan right now. The organization brought in Russell Westbrook (32 years old), Dwight Howard (35), Carmelo Anthony (37), Trevor Ariza (36), Wayne Ellington (33), and Kent Bazemore (32) over the offseason. While L.A. did add younger guys in Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn, there is a clear emphasis on having multiple veteran presences in the locker room.

Rondo is a two-time champion and has won with the Lakers before, so this signing makes sense on a cheap deal. He’ll be the backup behind Westbrook and will likely split minutes with Nunn off the bench.