Rajon Rondo is going to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The question, of course, is where the talented, but enigmatic point guard ends up in the summer, when he no doubt will be in the hunt for a maximum contract.
Rajon Rondo open to re-signing with Mavericks
But the enigmatic point guard also says that it’s an honor to be recruited by Kobe Bryant.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the Mavericks traded for Rondo in December, the thought was they did so for this season, but also with an eye towards the future. Rondo could help their team contend in the crowded Western Conference today and then be part of the foundation going forward.
But things in Dallas haven’t gone as planned. When Rondo joined the Mavericks, the team was averaging a league-best 113.6 points per 100 possessions. He has now been with Dallas for 30 games. With him on the court, that that number has dipped to 103.2. Over that span, Rondo is averaging 9.4 points, 6.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 29 minutes per game while shooting just 42 percent from the field. There was also that whole kerfuffle with Rick Carlisle.
And yet, as Rondo told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc J. Spears over the weekend, he’s still interested in re-signing with the Mavericks, who are now 41-24 and in sixth place in the West.
”Why would I not be? There are a lot of things that I really love. Even the practices, we listen to music, my type of music. It’s the little things. Say we are going to California, we will play Too $hort and West Coast music. If we are going to Houston we might play chop and screw, Bun B or something like that. If we are going to New Orleans we might play Lil Wayne at practice, during shooting 30 minutes before practice. It’s a cool way they run it. We get our work in.
"It's a player's organization. Players first, from our plane, the way we travel. I don't take that for granted. We eat good. We stay at the best hotels. Of course, it's the NBA. But this organization has the best. They have PlayStation in the lockers. I don't play games, but it's nice to know I got a PlayStation. TVs in your own locker. I heard about it - [Brandon Bass] and J-Terry [Jason Terry] told me - but seeing it and experiencing it.
"I love it here. I don't dislike anything. I'm not uncomfortable. Of course, the system is different, but I've been here for two months. It's going to take time. Hopefully, sooner rather than later."
Of course, that doesn’t mean the interest is mutual. ESPN Dallas’ Tim McMahon doesn’t believe that the Mavericks are going to be offering the 29-year-old point guard “close to the money that he wants.”
One other team that will play a role in Rondo's future is the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. will have a ton of cap room this offseason and loves big names and stars. Also, and perhaps more importantly, Kobe Bryant is a big fan of Rondo's game and the two have a relationship. Earlier this year they met for breakfast when Bryant's Lakers were in town to play the Celtics.
On Sunday, the Mavericks were in L.A. Rondo was asked by ESPN Los Angeles about his impending free agency and what it was like to be recruited by Bryant.
“He’s one of the best that’s ever played our game,” Rondo said. “When he speaks, it speaks volumes. It’s an honor and a compliment that he’d want to play with a guy like me. But right now I’m focused on winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks.”
When asked if he would want to play with the Lakers’ star, Rondo, coyly referring to Bryant’s injury, answered, “It’s impossible to play with Kobe right now.”
No one ever said Rondo wasn’t clever. As for where he’ll end up next year, only time will tell.
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