NBA Trade News: Lakers Ship Rondo To Troubled Cavaliers, Why It Makes Sense

The Cleveland Cavaliers need a tested point guard and may have picked a wise choice.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers traded the two-time NBA champion to the Cavaliers on Friday, Dec. 31.

As early as Thursday, Dec. 30, the buzz was that the Lakers and the Cavs were in serious talks and that a deal would be made soon. Cleveland is in desperate need of backcourt help after Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending injury.

Before that, the Cavs already lost Collin Sexton for the season. The Spaniard stepped up magnificently on his behalf and came close to getting a multi-year extension. But all that has likely vanished following Rubio’s latest injury.

Rondo has hardly been used by the Lakers seeing how Los Angeles has a stacked backcourt. Moving to Cleveland should give him more playing time and help JB Bickerstaff in trying to sustain a good run so far this season.

The Cavs are running fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, a position that most never expected. Given that he knows what winning is all about, Rondo will bring leadership into the fold and help facilitate players to big guys such as Kevin Love, Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen and Evan Mobley.

It should be noted that while he is no longer in his prime, there is no question that Rondo is a veteran who would fill in shoes that would be perfect. His fire and leadership can rub off on his teammates and potentially become essential if the Cavs make it to the playoffs.

For the Lakers, trading Rondo opens up a roster spot. Most know how the purple and gold have been struggling and the need to bring in some players could help. It is an unfortunate end to Rondo’s second coming in Hollywood although it could benefit all parties concerned.