The NBA free agent market has Rajon Rondo as one of the top names his year and teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers could be interested in signing the point guard in free agency, as he is not expected to return to Dallas after his trade to the Mavericks this past season.
Rondo is one of the most notable players on the market this year and along with Goran Dragic he is one of the top point guards hitting free agency. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rondo is not planning to return to the Mavericks and the team is not expected to chase him in free agency following the trade from the Celtics. Rondo and the Mavs did not have the best run together and that could make some teams think twice about going after the point guard.
Rondo has always been known to have a prickly personality and that popped up multiple times during his stint with the Mavericks. Rondo was suspended for a short time after getting into it with head coach Rick Carlisle and he also was not given a playoff share by the Mavericks. Rondo eventually was taken out of the lineup with a mysterious "injury" during the playoffs and the two sides agreed to part ways. The Mavericks felt the trade was worth it during the season and now Rondo is poised to move on.
Many in the media have speculated that the Lakers could be an option, as they have been mentioned in rumors the past two years in trades regarding Rondo with the Celtics. The team explored that once again this year, but the Lakers did not want to give up draft picks for a player that could sign elsewhere in free agency the next summer. According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers are interested in signing Rondo as a free agent, but the team wants him at a "discount" and likely only will offer a below market deal.
The Knicks could look at Rondo as a target, but Sean Deveney at the Sporting News writes that the team will look at the younger free agents on the market before going after the veterans. Deveney writes that Reggie Jackson and Brandon Knight could be main targets with Greg Monroe for the Knicks and if they miss out on those players, they could start looking more at Rondo. Frank Isola reports that Monroe is going to be a target for the Knicks and a deal for him is a "close to a done deal" as can be at this point.
According to the Boston Globe, the Kings could be a "darkhorse" option for Rondo to sign, as they have shown interest in the point guard in the past. Gary Washburn reports that the team is in need of a point guard with Darren Collison on the mend and with Rondo having a close friendship with Rudy Gay, he could be a solid target to come in. Rondo did not have a good run with the Mavericks after his trade and the Kings could be a fit if teams like the Lakers or the Knicks try and lowball him on offers.
