Lakers Trade Rajon Rondo to the Cavs
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In an interesting 24 hours for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. As of today, both teams have agreed to a deal that would send veteran PG Rajon Rondo to the Cavaliers for forward Denzel Valentine per Adrian Wojnarowski.
So what does this trade mean for both teams?
cLEVELAND cAVALIERS
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After losing their key contributor and playmaker in Ricky Rubio for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. The Cavaliers weren’t left with many options at the guard position with many veterans not available or signing with other teams. So to lessen the heartbreak of losing Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio for the rest of the season. The Cavaliers front office traded for Rajon Rondo to bring experience to a young team fighting to get back into the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.
When acquiring Rondo, the Cavaliers will gain a smart and healthy veteran, when on the floor can lead the offense in many ways. Similar to that of a Chris Paul or “Playoff Rondo” but when he has his off nights. Rondo can be a single-digit scorer who may garner you multiple assists and turnovers due to his unique style of play. As he is always trying to be one step ahead of the defense which can be both spectacular or a detriment to the team.
Overall, to focus on the positive and promise for the Cavs, trading for Rondo gives the Cavs to have a ball-handler and a leader on offense. Allowing Darius Garland to be the primary scorer and providing the Cavalier bigs a pick and roll artist.
Los Angeles Lakers
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In an up and down season, the Los Angeles Lakers with several players in and out each game. Have made their first move of the season by trading Rajon Rondo to Cavs. In the trade, the Lakers acquire Denzel Valentine but via Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are expected to waive Valentine to create a roster spot. Due to the Lakers reaching the maximum players on the team excluding the 10-day hardship contracts that several players such as Darren Collison, Stanley Johnson, and Jemerrio Jones are on.
However thanks to the Rondo deal, the Lakers are now in a position to sign either player or save such a spot for a player in the buyout market near the NBA All-Star Break. But for the time being, based on speculation and the recent games, the Lakers may be looking to sign Stanley Johnson to a veteran minimum contract allowing him to be an official player on the roster.
Lastly, with the trade and a possible deal with Stanley Johnson. Keith Smith, a contributor to many organizations around the NBA summarized both deals financially for the Lakers and Cavaliers.
Before the deal: Link
After the deal was completed: Link
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