While the Los Angeles Lakers sought out to find a backup to and mentor for Lonzo Ball, their signing of Rajon Rondo in free agency this past summer nevertheless raised some eyebrows. Rondo had developed a bit of a negative reputation and many doubted he’d accept a role off the bench.
Whether that would become an issue was not immediately known as Rondo started most of the preseason and clearly was on track to retain the job come the regular season as Ball worked his way back from knee surgery.
But Rondo’s three-game suspension created an opportunity for Ball, and he’s started ever since.