Since joining the Dallas Mavericks, Rajon Rondo has been scuffling on the court. He does not seem happy in the organization, and there have been multiple instances when he appeared to butt heads with head coach Rick Carlisle over the offense and his role in it.
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For months now, there has been speculation about what Rondo will do as a free agent, and many sources have him as a high-priority target for the Lakers. Kobe has talked about Rondo at length, and the two have been seen eating together. But is the recruitment pitch even necessary? According to ESPN, Rondo claims to be focused on this season, but with a little reading between the lines, his words may actually indicate something else.
Rondo recently mentioned that he is aware of Kobe's praise of him and how Kobe plans to recruit him to L.A. this summer. "When he speaks, it speaks volumes," Rondo said. "It's an honor and a compliment that he'd want to play with a guy like me, but right now, I'm focused on winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks."
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Of course he is going to say that he is focused on this season while the season is still going on and Dallas is projected to make the playoffs. But another of his comments seems to imply otherwise.
"I'm focused on what I have to do right now," Rondo said. "It's impossible to play with Kobe right now."
That "right now" will certainly not do anything to quell rumors about Rondo heading west, as it will be anything but impossible for Rondo to play with Kobe once the season ends. The Lakers are known to covet a dynamic point guard, which is a role that Rondo is more than capable of filling for the team.
The Lakers will have plenty of cap room to offer Rondo the salary he desires, and the team may even be able to add another big-name free agent with some clever cap gymnastics. While the final decision will ultimately be Rondo's, it is hard not to wonder if he is already sold on the idea of joining Kobe and the Lakers.
See the video below to check out the Lakers getting to see Rondo up close during a recent game against Dallas.
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