Randle currently sidelined with fractured leg…
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The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly refused to give up injured rookie Julius Randle in a deal with the Boston Celtics for point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Lakers were understood to be amongst the group of teams interested in Rondo as he was set to finally leave the Celtics, with his meeting with Kobe Bryant leading to speculation that the Lakers star was trying to recruit him.
While Bryant dismissed that story and insisted that it was merely a social meeting, it didn’t stop the suggestion that the Lakers were still in the running. However, Rondo eventually opted to move to the Dallas Mavericks as he eyes an immediate push for a championship.
However, according to Yahoo Sports’ Marc Spears, there was a particular reason why it didn’t work out with the Lakers.
“The Lakers and Celtics had mutual interest for a Rajon Rondo deal, but the Lakers weren’t willing to give up injured rookie Julius Randle, a source said”.
It is widely expected that the Lakers will make a run at acquiring Rondo again next summer when he becomes a free agent, despite claims from Mavs owner Mark Cuban that the franchise would like to keep the point guard for the rest of his career.
The Lakers have struggled in recent years and with Bryant closing in on the end of his playing career, they are expected to make significant moves in free agency in order to put themselves back in the mix in the Western Conference to compete for the playoffs at the very least.
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