Rajon Rondo Aims To Pull Off The ‘Unthinkable’ With Rising Cavs

Rajon Rondo won’t be Ricky Rubio with the Cavaliers, but he can be Rondo. And after practicing with the Cavs, Rondo is banking on that being enough.

“I kind of pride myself on doing the impossible and doing the unthinkable,” Rondo told reporters. “This group has the talent to do it. I’m looking forward to making some noise.”

The Cavs (21-17) have been one of the NBA’s most pleasant early-season surprises. Already, they have won just one less game than all of last season. Mostly, they have been considerably more competitive, even in losses.

So why did they feel the need to bring in Rondo? The answer is easy. After losing Rubio for the season to a torn ACL, general manager Koby Altman did want to take a step back. He wanted another pass-first veteran who had been through the NBA wars.

Rondo, 35, fits the bill. He has seen everything there is to see in the world of pro basketball — from winning titles with the Celtics (2008) and Lakers (2020), to playing for struggling franchises such as the Kings and Pelicans, to leading on a resurgent team such as the 2021 Hawks.

He was traded to the Cavs earlier this week in a three-team deal with the Lakers and Knicks.

“Obviously, he’s gonna come in and he’s gonna play (Rubio’s) minutes, but he’s gonna be Rondo,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s gonna play his style.”

Rondo expressed a willingness to do what he does best, setting up teammates for open shots, guiding younger guys such as Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, and playing with an edge and general feistiness.

He also likes the idea of playing with Cleveland’s triple towers of a starting frontline in Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen.

“I’ve never played with three (7-footers) on the court at one time,” Rondo said. “I’m looking forward to throwing some lobs and making the game easy for certain guys.”

The Cavs are about ready to embark on their longest trip of the season, six games in all, with the fun starting with Friday’s road game against the Trail Blazers.

Rondo should be ready to roll. While the Cavs will miss Rubio, Rondo just hopes to keep a good thing going and become a franchise favorite himself.

“Getting to know the guys, getting to know their body language coming out of the game, asking the coaches who’s who as far as the shooters and how I can help certain guys on the floor,” Rondo said.

“I’m just looking for guys’ tendencies. Where a young fella likes to shoot the ball, his most dominant spots on the floor. How (Kevin Love) checks right in the game and he’s ready to go. It’s more personnel-driven.”

In 18 games with the Lakers this season, Rondo averaged 3.1 points and 3.7 assists. He reportedly welcomed the trade to Cleveland from the get-go. And the Cavs are happy to have him.