Rajon Rondo reportedly expected to opt out of final contract year with Los Angeles Lakers

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(Photo: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)

Rajon Rondo is a two-time NBA Champion and is now hoping to ride that momentum into a pay raise.

After aiding the Los Angeles Lakers during its efforts in beating the Miami Heat for the 2020 NBA Finals trophy, the former Kentucky Wildcat is reportedly going to opt-out of the final year of this contract, making him an unrestricted free agent for the upcoming offseason. The news was first reported by Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com

BREAKING NEWS: Rajon Rondo will opt out of his contract with #Lakers and become an unrestricted free agent, league source says: https://t.co/M2uguAL6Nh #NBA @LakersNation

— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) October 15, 2020

Rondo, like this teammate Anthony Davis, will both be hot commodities on the free-agent market, although with varying value. It’s already been reported that Davis will opt out of his final year with the Lakers, as well, but it is widely anticipated he will quickly resign. As for Rondo, his player option for the 2020-21 season is only $2.6 million and he could potentially garner more money on the open market if he were to opt out.

During his second season with L.A., Rondo appeared in 48 games, averaging 7.1 points and 5.0 assists per contest. But it was his efforts during the Lakers Championship run that will have front offices giving him a call in the coming months. He averaged 8.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes across 16 postseason outings. Most impressively, he canned 40 percent of his 3-pointers during the playoffs, connecting on a combined mark of 20-50 clip.

I can’t say for sure what kind of offer Rondo will receive, but I would put money on the Lakers being the first team to come knocking, especially if they can secure him for another minimum contract. However, Rondo opting out now makes me feel that he’s searching for a multi-year deal in the $5ish million-per-year range. Whether or not an organization will be willing to offer that sort of deal is yet to be seen.