Rajon Rondo considered for role on new HC coaching staff

Former NBA guard Rajon Rondo is being considered for a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers’ new coaching staff.

Dan Woike from Los Angeles Times reported the news.

“Rumors about the Lakers’ recruiting plans have swirled around the league over the past couple of weeks, with some names mentioned most often, including former head coach Scott Brooks and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley. Former Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has also been under consideration, according to people with knowledge of the situation and not authorized to speak publicly.

Rondo, 38, played in the NBA from 2006 to 2022 and won a title with the Lakers 2019-20, in addition to the Boston Celtics in 2008.

The Lakers are looking for a new head coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham after two seasons.

As of now, signs point to former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick being named the team’s next head coach. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported the following on his podcast.

“I heard he was initially a slight favorite and that has gotten stronger and stronger over the last couple of weeks,” Buha said (6:42). “All the buzz around the league is that he is the favorite to become the next head coach of the Lakers.”

However, New Orleans Pelicans assistant (and former Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets head coach) James Borrego is also in the mix. Woike reported that Borrego interviewed with the Lakers on Wednesday.

Redick and Rondo have never been teammates, but the two get along well, as evidenced by the latter’s appearance on the former’s podcast.

More importantly, Rondo and Lakers superstar LeBron James were teammates on that aforementioned 2020 title team. James and Redick are podcast partners on Mind the Game. In summary, the connections are all there for Rondo to return to Los Angeles and begin his NBA coaching career. We’ll see if this comes to fruition soon enough.