Mannix: Rival execs believe Lakers will make "strong run" at Rondo

[obnoxiousmime]

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/11/05/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-trade-rumors-reports

There is one player who makes sense in LA next season: Rajon Rondo. Several rival executives believe the Lakers will make a strong run at Rondo next summer, and it’s easy to see why. Rondo is young (28), plays a critical position and shares the same win-at-all-bleeping-cost attitude as Bryant. The Celtics are rebuilding and have a young playmaker in Marcus Smart, which may limit their desire to hand Rondo max money.

No surprises here, but I thought it'd be fun to talk about. As a Laker-hater what I'd be most concerned about is their tanking will give them a good shot at a top pick (they keep their pick if it's top 5, which won't be hard considering how bad they are). With that pick as trade bait it creates a lot more options for them. We all saw how the Cavs luck in the lottery basically gave them Kevin Love and thus enabled LeBron's return. 98% of the time they end up picking 9th (or whatever it was) and are doomed to mediocrity again this season. Just goes to show how wacky the NBA lottery system is.

It's hard to see them fitting two stars with Kobe's bloated deal but let's say they trade for someone making less than the max like Horford ($12 million) for Jordan Hill+2015 first round pick. They could conceivably then sign a FA to a max deal.

EDIT: I forgot they probably can't deal the pick since they would then owe Phoenix their pick next year and it would be dealing a pick two years in a row. They would have to do the Cleveland "draft and wait a month" thing to consummate any trade and it may make free agency a little more complicated timing-wise.

[mr. dee]

Trading Rondo to the lakers is like giving Kobe a fountain of youth.

[playdream]

it's a no brainer if we got their pick
replace Rondo for a good center we will be much better

[Eddie20]

it's a no brainer if we got their pick
replace Rondo for a good center we will be much better

Suns have their pick. It's top 5 protected this season. So they can't use it as part of a deal and they'll have the money to sign him outright this summer. So we potentially could lose him for nothing.

[GreenFaith1819]

As much as I'd hate Rondo in Purp and Gold, it'd be fitting for him and I'd wish him the best (just not against us).

Kobe has raved about Rondo before.

And as much as some of our own fanbase detests Rondo (can't shoot, can't score, can't walk and chew bubble gum, punches walls, doesn't kiss babies, etc, etc, etc) Rajon Rondo would fit right in in Los Angeles next to Kobe.

For me? I'd miss him.

[cb8883]

Rondo is a Laker type of player. Lakers are always flashy, diva types and Rondo fits in perfectly. If you're a Celtic you are blue collar. You're a dirt dog. That being said I wonder if the Lakers would do Rondo for Randle and Nash. I think we would need to throw a pick in but to get Randle it's very much worth it. Either way I'm hoping Rondo is gone by February so we can just completely bottom out and get Towns or Okafor.

[playdream]

Rondo is a Laker type of player. Lakers are always flashy, diva types and Rondo fits in perfectly. If you're a Celtic you are blue collar. You're a dirt dog. That being said I wonder if the Lakers would do Rondo for Randle and Nash. I think we would need to throw a pick in but to get Randle it's very much worth it. Either way I'm hoping Rondo is gone by February so we can just completely bottom out and get Towns or Okafor.

We can still buttom out with Rondo on the team
That being said if we are going to tank i don't want to see another winning streak after Rondo is gone

[CFAN38]

it's a no brainer if we got their pick
replace Rondo for a good center we will be much better

not what the post is suggesting. If the lakers get in the top 5 they could potentially trade their pick for Horford and sign Rondo away from the Cs.

[Jailan34]

Rondo is a Laker type of player. Lakers are always flashy, diva types and Rondo fits in perfectly. If you're a Celtic you are blue collar. You're a dirt dog. That being said I wonder if the Lakers would do Rondo for Randle and Nash. I think we would need to throw a pick in but to get Randle it's very much worth it. Either way I'm hoping Rondo is gone by February so we can just completely bottom out and get Towns or Okafor.

We need more power forwards?

[cb8883]

Rondo is a Laker type of player. Lakers are always flashy, diva types and Rondo fits in perfectly. If you're a Celtic you are blue collar. You're a dirt dog. That being said I wonder if the Lakers would do Rondo for Randle and Nash. I think we would need to throw a pick in but to get Randle it's very much worth it. Either way I'm hoping Rondo is gone by February so we can just completely bottom out and get Towns or Okafor.

We need more power forwards?

We need future stars. Randle gives us the best chance at an actual star player.

[SHAQATTACK]

They , the Lakers are always window shopping for the best player available.   It's the way they rebuild

Lakers don't wait in Lady Luck to strike .   

They go out and buy what they want.   Their fans won't wait two years , much less twenty to contend.

I have been spying on their forums and yes ....Rondo is that pretty new sports car in the show room window in their eyes.

They can't get Lillard, Curry, Irving , Lowery , or Wall or CP3 or Rose .

They would probably give up Randle and a first in a heart beat for Rondo.

[wdleehi]

So Rondo is this years "this top free agent is going to LA Lakers" rumor.



How has that worked out for the Lakers the past few seasons?




And why would Rondo want to go there?  They are in a worse situation then the Celtics.  No one else wants to join Kobe. 



It is early in the season.  Just wait.  Soon it will be Rondo, Aldridge and Gasol all going to LA to join Kobe. 

[BballTim]

Rondo is a Laker type of player. Lakers are always flashy, diva types and Rondo fits in perfectly. If you're a Celtic you are blue collar. You're a dirt dog. That being said I wonder if the Lakers would do Rondo for Randle and Nash. I think we would need to throw a pick in but to get Randle it's very much worth it. Either way I'm hoping Rondo is gone by February so we can just completely bottom out and get Towns or Okafor.

We need more power forwards?

We need future stars. Randle gives us the best chance at an actual star player.

  Keeping Rondo does that.

[Birdman]

Like I said in the other thread, Trade Rondo now for Laker pick, we be 3 of the worst teams in the league..Plus cant trade anyone to the Lakers!!!

[Cammycakes]

I hope they have another sales pitch other than playing with Kobe and wearing a Laker's uniform for