Lakers Rumors: Rajon Rondo Being Considered for Role on Coaching Staff Under New HC

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

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported the news.

“Rumors of the Lakers’ staffing plans have run throughout the league during the past two weeks, with some names most commonly mentioned including former head coach Scott Brooks and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley. Ex-Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has also been under consideration, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.”

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

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

As of now, the signs point to ex-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’ve been hearing he was initially a slight favorite and that has become stronger and stronger over the last couple of weeks,” Buha said (6:42 mark). “All the buzz around the league is that he is the front-runner to be the Lakers’ next head coach.”

However, New Orleans Pelicans assistant (and ex-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 were never teammates, but the two get along, 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 sum, the connections are all there for Rondo to make his way back to L.A. and begin his NBA coaching career. We’ll see if it comes to fruition soon enough.