The Los Angeles Clippers are acquiring Rajon Rondo from the Atlanta Hawks for Lou Williams and two second-round picks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick.
Charania initially reported the deal was coming into place and that Williams might wind up on a third team rather than the Hawks. Instead, he’ll go to Atlanta as the team looks to continue climbing the Eastern Conference standings.
The Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson reported the Clippers were also showing interest in Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry to land the playmaker they needed.
Rondo is averaging career lows in points (3.9) and assists (3.5), but he’s also playing a career-low 14.9 minutes per game. His 11.6 assists per 100 possessions are equal to his number last year with the Los Angeles Lakers, per Basketball Reference.
The 35-year-old has plenty of experience in the postseason, winning a title with the Lakers last season and with the Boston Celtics in his second season (2007-08). Through 121 career postseason appearances, he has averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 assists.
Rondo won’t need to shoulder many offensive duties for the Clippers, and his presence will alleviate the burden on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to facilitate the offense.
The Hawks, meanwhile, don’t have to worry about Rondo’s $7.5 million salary for next season and get an expiring contract in return.
Atlanta also gets some much-needed firepower off the bench.
Williams’ scoring average (12.1 points per game) has dipped from his first three years with the Clippers, but the 34-year-old is shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc. He can also run the offense when Trae Young isn’t on the floor.
Going from Rondo to Williams is a net negative on defense, a concern for a team that ranks 18th in defensive rating (111.9), per NBA.com. On the whole, though, the Hawks might be better after this move.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
