Cleveland Cavaliers are having a good season till now with their young core. They are looking to make a trade for a former superstar to add much-needed experience
Cleveland Cavaliers have played effective basketball this season and are 5th in the East right now. But they have lost one influential star player – Ricky Rubio due to a knee injury. This pressurizes the Cavs to look for a guard, and a trade might be a quick solution for them.
Basically, Ricky Rubio’s MRI has confirmed that he suffered a torn ACL against the pelicans on Tuesday night. This injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. With Collin Sexton already sidelined for the season, Cleveland Cavaliers will be shorthanded in the guards’ position.
The Cavs have performed well till now and are hopeful for their playoff appearance after the 2018 season. So the front office is not willing to bet on the rotational guards available with them and looking for an experienced point guard who can gel well with the team quickly.
This brings the possible trade with the Lakers star Rajon Rondo in the picture. Both Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are finalizing the details of the deal and are expected to announce the trade as early as the end of the month.
The deal will be purely between two teams who hold the trade rights for the player. The Cavs do not have an extra roster spot available but a player swap deal looks quite difficult in the current scenario considering the salary cap and demands from the Lakers. The deal might be cash or future 2nd round pick trade for the Lakers.
For Cleveland Cavaliers, this trade is majorly an early solution for the guard position. Rondo might not be as productive as Ricky Rubio for them, but they will be hoping for more play-making from the player. Salary-wise the Cavs can use their trade exception that can absorb Rondo’s $ 2.6 million salary.
For the LA Lakers, Rondo was a surplus player, especially at the guard position. Rondo played in 18 games so far averaging 3.1 points and 3.7 assists in 16 minutes per game. So the Lakers would rather look to free up the roster space and look for a defensive player whose contribution can help the team to move up in the Conference.
Rajon Rondo is on minimum contract with the Lakers. Also, the Lakers have sufficient depth in the position right now, with an additional ball-handler in LeBron James. Thus Rajon Rondo had very little game time with the Lakers so far this season. This trade will allow him more playing and a potent young core to play alongside.
Rajon Rondo is currently in Covid-19 health and safety protocol. so he needs to complete his quarantine period before joining the Cavs.
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