Rajon Rondo – Los Angeles Clippers (formerly Atlanta Hawks)

In the final hours before the NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clippers made the move to pick up another point guard, but they did so at the expense of Lou Williams. Not only has Williams been one of the Clippers’ most productive bench players of the years, but he won the Sixth-Man of the Year award with Los Angeles twice during the 2017-18 season and the 2018-19 season.

Now, instead of the veteran Williams, the Clippers have veteran and championship point guard Rajon Rondo to lead their backcourt. Ever since he left Boston during the 2014-15 season, Rondo has been on six different teams other than the Celtics and the Clippers will be his eighth team in the last seven seasons. 

While he may not be the player he was earlier in his career, Rajon Rondo is still a very impactful guard and proved that last year when he helped the Lakers win their 17th championship in franchise history. After signing a deal with the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the season, Atlanta was able to deal him to the Clippers at the NBA trade deadline this season in exchange for Lou Williams, two future second-round picks and cash considerations. 

Rajon Rondo definitely benefits from this trade to the Clippers because instead of being stuck on a team that is trying to make it back to the playoffs and a team that has no shot to win a title, the veetran guard is now in a situation where he can contribute meaningful minutes for a championship caliber team. 

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the betting favorites to win the NBA Finals this season and have one of the best records in the league, which is why this situation is ideal for Rondo. He is 35-years-old now and in the last few years of his career, so why would he want to waste those last few good years he has not contending for a championship? 

Now, Rajon Rondo is under contract through next year and will be making $7.5M this season and next season as he contributes to a championship-caliber team. This is definitely the best thing that could have happened to Rajon Rondo and now he has a chance to win his third ring with his third different team, potentially adding onto what has been a Hall-of-Fame career.