3 things Rajon Rondo can add to the roster in Cleveland

By Chad Porto | Jan 9, 2022

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 07: Rajon Rondo # 1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during warm ups before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 07, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

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Jan 7, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Rajon Rondo (1) drives to the basket during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Playmaking

There might be some doubt over what the soon-to-be 36-year-old point guard can still provide for the Cavs. There might be some who think that because the Lakers only played Rajon Rondo 16 minutes a game, having him appear in just 18 games total, that he’s washed. That’s simply not the case.

He was made moot essentially by the Lakers when they traded for Russell Westbrook, who has a lot of the same strengths and flaws as Rondo, though with more explosiveness when Westbrook attacked the basket.

Since both guys couldn’t really stretch the court and shoot threes, Westbrook pushed Rondo to the back of the bench. In Cleveland, those limitations won’t be a huge point of concern. The Cavaliers don’t need Rondo to be a court-stretching guard. They have a lot of good three-point shooting in Darius Garland, Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, and Lauri Markkanen has a good shot that hasn’t been falling as consistently so far as you’d like, but he’s looked better in recent weeks.

So Rondo can come in, attack the rim, and kick the ball out to guys like Love, Osman, Markkanen, and Garland. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers are far more suited to Rondo’s game, whereas the Lakers are very limited with their three-point shooting.

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