By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Experienced point guard Rajon Rondo has emerged as a potential addition for the Cleveland Cavaliers, per multiple reports.
The Cavs are nearing a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for a trade based on Rondo, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The deal is expected to be completed within the next hours, per ESPN.
Rondo, 35, returned to the Lakers by inking a one-year contract in late August. His second stint features 3.1 points, 3.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest over 18 appearances in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season. He is currently sidelined due to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols but is expected to move to Cleveland as soon as he gets cleared for action.
Spanish Ricky Rubio suffering a season-ending torn left ACL forced the Cavs into the market in search of point guard depth. In the first game without Rubio, they lost at the Washington Wizards and fell to 20-15. Canadian Kevin Pangos, a star in Europe the previous seasons, got his first NBA start Thursday.
Rubio, 31, had 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game pushing his side to an impressive start to the season. Previous NBA stints since being selected with the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft went from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns.
The Cavaliers, currently ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, will host the Atlanta Hawks to wrap up a back-to-back Friday evening.
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