Rajon Rondo is returning to the Lakers.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski experiences that Rondo plans to signal a one-year, $2.6 million cope with the Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Grizzlies over the weekend. Rondo, who performed final season with the Hawks and Clippers, was traded from the Clippers to the Grizzlies earlier this offseason.

Rondo, who will flip 36 in February and is getting into his sixteenth season, performed a key reserve position on the Lakers workforce that gained the 2020 title within the Orlando bubble, making well timed pictures and infrequently working the offense throughout key stretches when LeBron James rested. He averaged almost 25 minutes per recreation off the bench and ranked fourth on the workforce in whole minutes in the course of the NBA Finals in opposition to the Warmth.

Lakers roster and projected lineup

The Rondo signing continues a development for the Lakers, who’ve assembled a veteran workforce that enters as favorites to win the Western Convention. Along with buying and selling for nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook to pair with LeBron James, who’s getting into his nineteenth season, the Lakers additionally signed 37-year-old Carmelo Anthony, 36-year-old Trevor Ariza, 35-year-old Dwight Howard and 33-year-old Wayne Ellington.

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Upon first look, it is unclear how a lot Rondo will in the end play as he’ll compete with Kendrick Nunn for minutes behind Westbrook. Head coach Frank Vogel has loads of unresolved questions that reach past Rondo’s rapid match:

• Who begins at taking pictures guard?
• Will Anthony Davis transfer full time to middle?
• How usually will James and/or Davis relaxation?
• How ought to the Lakers incorporate their two-way gamers?

With Rondo, James, Anthony, Ariza and Howard, the Lakers now have 5 gamers of their sixteenth season or later, all of whom may issue considerably into the rotation. There are solely eight different gamers throughout all the NBA getting into their sixteenth season or later, together with each Paul Millsap and JJ Redick, neither of whom have signed.

MORE: The highest 10 video games on the NBA schedule

The Lakers open their season Oct. 19 in opposition to the Warriors. Try their whole schedule right here.