The Boston Celtics have reportedly offered Isaiah Thomas a 3-year, $57 million contract to stay with the team. If the Lakers sign Rajon Rondo, it will be a huge loss for the Celtics and their fans.
Isaiah Thomas is the biggest loser if Rajon Rondo signs with the Lakers. The Boston Celtics star has been a key part of their success and they will be losing a lot without him.
After the veteran point guard agreed to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to pursue a reunion with him. That may signal disaster for Isaiah Thomas’s chances of returning to the NBA.
Thomas has been playing in different leagues this summer, but he is primarily interested in returning to the NBA. After working out for the Lakers earlier this month, Thomas seemed to be on the verge of returning to the NBA, but his chances of landing a contract may be decreasing as the Lakers pursue Rondo.
The Lakers hired Isaiah Thomas to work out for them.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for depth and have worked out Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison, and Mike James for a roster place. Thomas just completed a personal workout with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. https://t.co/4QjSft01LI
August 17, 2021 — Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes)
Isaiah Thomas didn’t have much success with the Lakers during his initial tenure, but he wanted to earn another chance with the Purple and Gold.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Thomas worked out with James and Russell Westbrook earlier this month. This past season, the tiny guard appeared in a few games with the Atlanta Hawks but was unable to make an NBA roster. The announcement of Thomas’ exercise was the most important step in his return plans.
The decision seemed to be sensible on LA’s side as well. Thomas is the kind of player that can provide scoring off the bench for the Lakers. He has the ability to create off the dribble, which may relieve some of the burden on James and Westbrook to always be on the ball.
In their pursuit of a third point guard, the Lakers may be better served by bringing in a more conventional distributor and playmaker off the bench. This is when Rajon Rondo enters the picture.
After agreeing to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, LA is likely to sign Rajon Rondo.
The Lakers were seriously contemplating signing Isaiah Thomas, and it seemed that things were moving in that direction as September approached. Rondo’s buyout from Memphis has obviously altered the landscape in recent days. https://t.co/N5QLQS9ikZ
August 28, 2021 — Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski)
In addition to Isaiah Thomas, the Lakers checked out veterans Mike James and Darren Collison. They were obviously weighing their choices, but they now seem to have settled on a player who helped the Purple and Gold win a championship in 2020.
After the four-time All-Star agreed to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Lakers are the favorites to sign him. Rondo was dealt to the Grizzlies by the Clippers as part of the Eric Bledsoe trade, although he was always expected to seek a buyout. He may now be returning to Los Angeles.
During the 2019-20 season, Rondo was instrumental in the Lakers’ championship drive. In the playoffs, he emerged as the team’s best point guard option, averaging 8.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds across 16 games. Rondo’s ability to play on the ball and go to the hoop was particularly important in the NBA Finals.
If the Lakers sign Rondo after he clears waivers, he’ll certainly enjoy the opportunity to run it back with them. The news, on the other hand, is unlikely to have come as a pleasant surprise to Thomas. LA was “strongly considering” signing Thomas until Rondo’s buyout was completed, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Will Isaiah Thomas get a deal with the NBA before the season begins?
Isaiah Thomas is unlikely to be pleased with the Lakers’ desire to re-sign him. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images/Rajon Rondo
Isaiah Thomas’ session with the Lakers may have been his greatest shot of getting back into the NBA. The chance seems to have been stolen from him in an instant.
It’s unclear if Thomas will be able to reclaim his place in the league. In truth, most clubs are fairly well established in terms of squad composition. There are only a limited number of seats left.
Thomas is still a young man of 32 years. He can score the ball, as proven by his 81-point performance in the Crawsover Pro-Am and his Drew League heroics. However, it does not seem like NBA executives are very interested in adding him to their teams.
If the Lakers acquire Rondo, they will get more ball-handling and playmaking ability. It would, however, come at the cost of Thomas, whose NBA aspirations are crumbling around him.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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