Report: Rajon Rondo to sign with Los Angeles Lakers upon clearing waivers

Gilbert McGregor

Report: Rajon Rondo to sign with Los Angeles Lakers upon clearing waivers image

Rajon Rondo is reportedly set for a second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Rondo plans to sign a one-year deal worth $2.6 million upon clearing waivers.

Things come full circle for Rondo, who spent two seasons with the Lakers and played an integral role for the 2019-20 team that took home the NBA title.

After winning with the Lakers, Rondo signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks in November 2020. At the 2021 trade deadline, Atlanta dealt Rondo to the LA Clippers, with whom he averaged 7.6 points and 5.8 assists over 18 regular-season appearances.

In the 2021 playoffs, Rondo's role with the Clippers fluctuated as he played in just 13 of a possible 19 games, five of which were DNP-CDs.

Rondo's time with the Clippers came to an end on Aug. 16, 2021, when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. As he was not expected to report to Memphis, Rondo and the Grizzlies reached the contract buyout that facilitated his return to the Lakers.

This addition continues a busy offseason for the Lakers, who, including Rondo, have added nine new players via trade and free agency. At 35, Rondo will be the sixth-oldest player on Los Angeles' roster, behind Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Marc Gasol, Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard.

Rondo joins a backcourt rotation that also will feature another lead guard in Russell Westbrook and a combo guard in Kendrick Nunn.

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Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.