Winners and losers from Cavs trade for Rajon Rondo

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Rajon Rondo, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images /

Winners of the Cavs trade for Rajon Rondo

The trade, sending Rajon Rondo to the Cavs and Denzel Valentine to the Lakers, is a relatively low-impact one. Even so there are shockwaves through the various parties involved. Who comes out as winners from the deal?

Rajon Rondo – The 15-year veteran will now play for his ninth NBA franchise, and ninth in the last seven years after spending the first eight-plus with the Boston Celtics. He goes from a team staring past the ledge to a team in playoff positioning. Yes, you heard that right: the Cleveland Cavaliers are more likely to make the playoffs than the Lakers.

Rondo will also get a defined role on the Cavs as the backup point guard behind Darius Garland, whereas he was in-and-out of the lineup with the Lakers. It’s a better spot for him, especially if he buys into the Rubio role as a veteran voice and steady hand.

Ricky Rubio – While the veteran point guard won’t be playing again until next season, he has a chance to stay with the Cavs and continue in the environment that was revitalizing his career. The Cavs could still agree to an extension with Rubio or re-sign him this summer. If he is traded then the odds of him returning disappear to nearly nothing.

Stanley Johnson – The Lakers will reportedly waive Denzel Valentine’s partially-guaranteed contract, with the expectation that they will sign a player on a minimum contract to replace him/Rondo. The frontrunner for that spot is Stanley Johnson, who was out of the league to start the year but has played reasonably well on a hardship exception for the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers – Rajon Rondo was not very good this season, to the point that head coach Frank Vogel was turning to Isaiah Thomas or anyone he could find to play at point guard instead of Rondo. He is shooting just 32.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3-point range, and he is coughing up 1.9 turnovers per game in just 16.1 minutes. Whether the Lakers replace him with Johnson, Thomas or a 62-year old Magic Johnson they will probably be better off.

Koby Altman – The Cavs’ General Manager brought in point guard help without giving up any assets; the Lakers got off money in the deal, enough incentive for them to do the trade without Cleveland tossing in an asset. He doesn’t have to be done; if the Cavs apply for a Disabled Player Exception they could still make a move, but they have point guard help in the meantime for basically free.