Pair had planned to meet when the Lakers were in Boston…
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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant met with Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo for breakfast on Thursday, but it was simply social according to sources.
The two stars had reportedly planned on meeting up for a meal for weeks as the Lakers visit Boston to take on the Celtics at the TD Garden on Friday night.
It is understood that there are no active trade talks taking place between the two franchises involving Rondo, but sources did suggest that there was a brief discussion a few months ago.
The Celtics point guard will be a free agent this summer and although it is claimed that Boston would prefer to re-sign him, it remains to be seen if Rondo sees his future there.
The Lakers have held an interest in him for several years after he helped the Celtics beat them in the NBA Finals 2008 as a rookie and sources have indicated that he is high on their priority list of free-agent targets this summer.
Nevertheless, another stumbling block to a potential deal could be Boston’s desire to have at least one first-round pick included in the deal. The Lakers owe their own first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns unless it falls within the top five picks while they also own Houston’s first-round pick.
However, league sources suggest that the Lakers have thus far been reluctant to engage in discussions including their first-round Draft picks after working so hard this past off-season to acquire a pick this season.
Rondo will likely continue to be on their radar unless the Celtics tie him to a new deal, but Bryant has made no secret of his fondness for the 28-year-old.
“You don’t want Rondo? Send him my way. I love everything about him. Everything. I love his attitude, I love his chippiness, his edge, his intellect, his know-it-allness. All of it. That’s what makes championship players,” Bryant said back in 2013.
“What guard have you seen at his size that will get you 18 assists, 17 boards and 20 points all in one game? That’s unheard of. I love that kid. I always make a point of talking to him during All-Star [Weekend]. He’s one of my favorites.”
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