3 ways Rajon Rondo can help a young Cavs roster

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

#2: Rondo has often been a high tier defender in the NBA

During his career, Rondo has consistently been praised for his defensive prowess, reaching the All-Defensive team on four occasions. He was being referred to as one of the best perimeter defenders of his time, during his prime.

Rondo may no longer be the on-ball defender that he once was for the Celtics, but he still has the tenacity and the IQ to make a difference when his assignment does not have the ball.

He has shown the ability, especially last season, to read passes before they happen and catch them before they get to their intended target. Often times this leads to a full court pass, which ends up as an assist.

The Cavaliers already have one of the best defenses in the NBA, also, ranking third behind the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors in defensive rating, and Rondo can still aid them in the team sense. Rondo can help improve it further by playing elite off-ball defense in his reserve stretches, and he can still make a difference when he is defending the ball-handler.

This season, Rajon Rondo is averaging 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in only 16.1 minutes played. Clearly, he is still effective on that end of the floor, as much of his defensive impact does not show up in the stat sheet like it once did.