The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In need of some backcourt help, the Cavs struck a deal with the Lakers. Cleveland is sending Denzel Valentine to Los Angeles for Rajon Rondo.
ESPN Sources: The Cavaliers have agreed to trade Denzel Valentine to the Lakers to acquire Rajon Rondo. The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine’s partially-guaranteed deal and create an open roster spot.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 31, 2021
Acquiring a backup point guard became a necessity after the season-ending injury to Ricky Rubio. Rubio was in the midst of one of his better seasons when the injury occurred and. was helping solidify an up and coming Cavs team. Conversely, Rajon Rondo is averaging career-lows in points (3.1), assists (3.7), and minutes per game (16.1). For Cleveland exchanging Valentine for Rondo is an upgrade, but it has more to do with an improvement over the low-end guards currently playing with Rubio out and Darius Garland in health and safety protocols. The Cavs had to make a move and Rondo was more than likely the best player available at the position. Rondo will most likely carve out some type of role in Cleveland, but it will not be impactful as what they had in the now injured Rubio.
