Grizzlies agree to buyout with four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo and the Grizzlies have agreed to a contract buyout, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Rondo was traded to the Grizzlies in a three-way deal that landed the Clippers Eric Bledsoe, and according to Charania, the 35-year-old two-time NBA champion could be on his way back to Los Angeles, but not to the Clippers.

Bobby Marks of ESPN notes that Rondo was never asked to report to the team or take a physical, calling it as sure a sign as you can get that a subsequent move would be made. Marks adds that the same is true for Spanish forward Juan Hernangomez.

Charania writes that the Lakers are the front-runners to sign Rondo, which would be his third season with the Lakers, including the championship he won with them in the 2020 bubble.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms the Lakers’ interest. Rondo will clear waivers on Monday, and Wojnarowski says he will likely be signed into one of the Lakers’ final roster spots.

While the Lakers did an impressive job filling out their roster following the trade for Russell Westbrook, the backup point guard spot was one notable hole. Rondo was unable to replicate his success with the Lakers in this year’s playoffs run with the Clippers, but he should provide a solid, competent playmaker off the bench, especially as young guards Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn are both more likely to see time at the shooting guard spot, if at all.