With Ricky Rubio lost for the season due to injury, reports are surfacing that Cleveland is nearing a deal to acquire Rajon Rondo from the Lakers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made progress in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers about a trade involving veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, per multiple reports. Shams Charania of The Athletic was first to report the potential swap.
Cleveland has been urgently looking for an experienced guard since Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending knee injury Tuesday night. The Cavs and Lakers are “trending” toward completing the trade, a person who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press on Thursday.
It’s not yet known which players Cleveland might include in a trade. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Cavs need to create a roster spot to make room for Rondo and the Cavs could include a minimum-contract player or waive a player and complete the deal using a second-round pick and cash.
The Lakers, per Wojnarowski, wouldn’t need to take back a matching salary in the trade because Rondo is on a minimum contract. Los Angeles could take back a non-guaranteed deal player whom it could then waive and this trade is expected to open a roster spot for the Lakers.
ESPN story on the Cleveland Cavaliers nearing a trade to acquire Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo: https://t.co/yMOIGi3Zqx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 31, 2021
AP source: Cavs making progress in trade for Lakers’ Rondo (from @AP) https://t.co/FsWS3SgeJ6
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 31, 2021
Rondo is in his first season with the Lakers, who are just 17-19 and have struggled with one of the NBA’s older rosters. In a reserve role, the 35-year-old is averaging 3.1 points and 3.7 assists in 18 games.
The Cavs have been one of the league’s biggest surprises, and what to keep their momentum going.
They’re desperate to find a proven guard after Rubio, who had a major impact on Cleveland’s early season turnaround, tore his left anterior cruciate ligament against New Orleans. Rubio also tore his left ACL as a rookie in 2012.
Cavs reserve guard Kevin Pangos made his first career start Wednesday night at Washington.
Rubio had a positive effect on Cleveland’s young players, especially guard Darius Garland, who is currently in health and safety protocols.
Rondo, who is in his 18th season and has plenty of playoff credentials, could provide the Cavs with some of the same attributes as Rubio.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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