The LA Clippers are in the market for a point guard. While fans got excited that they were mentioned as an emerging candidate for NBA star Kyle Lowry, the team ended up executing a trade that won’t generate as many headlines.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Clippers have acquired point guard Rajon Rondo from the Atlanta Hawks. The Clippers will be sending Lou Williams, two second-round picks and cash.
In recent weeks it was reported that the Clippers were no longer shopping Williams, who had said he would retire if he was traded out of Los Angeles.
Could a return close to where he went to high school and lemon pepper wings be enough to keep him from calling it quits? We will have to wait and see. Atlanta, who is pushing for the postseason, will appreciate the veteran leadership Williams brings to the table.
For the Clippers, Rajon Rondo will bring a steady, experienced point guard to their second unit. He was an integral part of the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship in the Orlando Bubble and will hope to help lead the Clippers to similar success.
Rondo was one of the signings the Hawks made during this past offseason, but things have not worked out. He has been unable to stay healthy and when he has, his production has not been great. This is the worst season in Rondo’s career, as he is putting up career lows in shooting percentage, points, rebounds, assists and steals.
Hopefully, this trade back to the west coast can get him back on the right track. The Clippers are certainly hoping so, at least for the playoffs. The ‘Playoff Rondo’ moniker that has become popular in recent years certainly remained true during the run the Lakers made last season.
