That's what you get for feuding with championship coaches.
Report: Lakers want Rondo, but only at a 'low price'
By Matt Moore | NBA writer
April 28, 2015 5:45 pm ET
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...ort-lakers-want-rondo-but-only-at-a-low-price
Bleacher Report reports that while the Lakers are still very much interested in signing Rajon Rondo, the price tag for the former All-Star has seen the bottom drop out after his disastrous tenure in Dallas that ended with his bench, being shut down with injury, and Rick Carlisle openly saying he won't play for the Mavericks again.
So there remains a distinct possibility in today's space-and-shoot NBA that the Los Angeles Lakers will be the torchbearers for the old school and sign the pass-first (nay, pass-only) Rondo to a free-agent contract this summer.
But what should be made clear, according to team sources, is that Buss is not the believer he was earlier in the season when it comes to Rondo, and Kupchak is toting enough healthy skepticism that he sees Rondo as value only at a certain low price.
As a former flag-waving advocate of Team "Playoff Rondo still exists somewhere within him," I've had to face facts. That Rondo may be gone forever. Clashing with Rick Carlisle is one thing; Carlisle has had some issues with guys through the years, he has very little patience for nonsense. But Rondo has now clashed with Doc Rivers (championship coach), was traded from under Brad Stevens (widely praised), and clashed with Rick Carlisle (championship coach). Beyond his shooting limitations (which are massive) and his decision making (which is questionable), his ability to fit in with a championship organization is at the highest question.
That said, this is clearly a negotiating tactic. The BR piece promotes the idea that Rondo's camp has been the one promoting word that the Lakers will offer a max contract. This is clearly a response from the Lakers to lower the value and establish leverage. After all, if you're going to get a former All-Star, you might as well get him at the lowest possible price. Rondo might be damaged goods, but there is still potential in there. Is Byron Scott a good fit with Rondo? Doesn't seem like it. Is an aging Kobe Bryant and what is basically a second-year rookie in Julius Randle a good fit with Rondo? Doesn't seem like it.
But the Lakers can't be choosers here. They're beggars. They need talent, and they need it at every position and at nearly any price. They want to get out of this rebuilding toilet bowl? Rondo might give them a ladder. It's a risk, but then, when you look at what's left of their roster at this point, risks aren't so risky.
They have nothing to lose.