Report: Lakers trading Rondo to Cavaliers for Valentine
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade veteran point guard Rajon Rondo to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Denzel Valentine, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine and his partially guaranteed contract to open a roster spot, Wojnarowski adds.
Rondo's reported addition will bolster the Cavaliers' depth at the guard positions after both Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton were ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.
Rondo signed a one-year deal with the Lakers in August, marking his second spell with the team. The four-time All-Star entered the league's health and safety protocols on Dec. 26 and is averaging 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 18 games with Los Angeles.
The 35-year-old is keen to assume a principal role with Cleveland in Rubio's absence, reports Wojnarowski. Rubio suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 20-15 Cavaliers have been one of the surprises of the 2021-22 campaign. They sit fifth in the Eastern Conference ahead of Friday's home game against the Atlanta Hawks.