Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo will opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, according to Chris Sheridan of Basketball News.
Assuming Rondo makes the move, he will be an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team without the Lakers being due compensation.
Rondo has a player option for about $2.6 million, and Sheridan quoted a league source as saying that Rondo is “definitely” opting out.
Rondo, 34, is coming off an excellent playoff showing as the Lakers won their first championship series in a decade behind the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But the likes of Rondo also had plenty to do with it, as he kept the ball moving, made timely baskets and provided his usual dose of determined backcourt defense.
As Sheridan noted, Rondo suggested he could leave LA during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday.
“I’m definitely going to entertain it,” Rondo said of free agency. “Obviously, always thinking about running it back with a great group of guys and coaching staff. I can’t thank those guys enough for giving me a shot the last couple of years. It’s been amazing playing for this organization.”
Along with the Lakers, the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks could be potential next destinations for Rondo, Sheridan speculated.
The free agency period is expected to begin in late November or early December.
