The Dallas Mavericks were poised to secure a long-term deal with Rajon Rondo in the offseason, but things could change this summer after the All-Star point guard engaged in a heated argument with coach Rick Carlisle, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a chance to nab the superstar.
Rondo, who was acquired by the Mavericks in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics in December, had a profanity-laced verbal tussle with Carlisle during the third quarter of their 99-92 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Carlisle was reportedly irked with Rondo after ignoring a play call from the bench. The champion coach had something to say to the starting point guard, and Rondo shouted back at Carlisle.
ESPN Sources said the two exchanged heated words for the entire timeout before cooler heads prevailed. However, Carlisle decided to bench the 29-year-old for the remainder of the game. The heated argument led to a one-game suspension for Rondo for conduct detrimental to the team.
Sources also added that Carlisle and Rondo are having troubles adjusting to each other since the trade was consummated because of issues on play calling, which was also the same reason why former Mavs playmaker Jason Kidd did not enjoy playing under Carlisle before.
With the friction between Carlisle and Rondo reaching its peak on Tuesday, most analysts are convinced that it could affect Rondo's decision-making this summer.
Rondo, who is averaging 8.6 points and 8.3 assists to go along with 5.9 rebounds per game this season, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Several teams have already expressed intention to lure Rondo this summer, including the Lakers and New York Knicks.
Jason McIntyre, an NBA analysts from The Big Lead, believes Rondo will not sign a new deal with the Mavericks, and will likely move to the Lakers, citing the point guard's relationship with superstar Kobe Bryant.
"Don't expect Rajon Rondo to stick around," McIntyre wrote. "He's chummy with Kobe Bryant. He's got friends on the West Coast. The Rajon Rondo-to-the-Lakers rumors have been percolating for as long as the Kevin Love-t0-LA scuttlebutt has been kicking around."
The Knicks are also expected to make a strong push to sign Rondo this summer, but McIntyre believes the Lakers are more appealing to the former Kentucky standout because they have a better chance of turning things around quickly than New York.
Both the Knicks and Lakers are at the cellar of their respective conferences. The Knicks are currently in last place in the East with their 10-45 record, while the Lakers are in 14th place in the West with their 14-41 record.
