The chance of landing All-Star playmaker and incoming free-agent Rajon Rondo next offseason has suddenly increased for the Los Angeles Lakers after the Boston Celtics floor general was spotted having a dinner with purple-and-gold superstar Kobe Bryant.
ESPN's NBA insider Baxter Holmes spotted the two NBA superstars and face of two rivaling teams in the league, the Celtics and the Lakers, having breakfast on Thursday in Boston.
Rondo, who is averaging 8.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game this season after suffering a torn ACL injury, has always shown mutual respect with the Bryant despite going at each other in multiple heated confrontations between their respective teams.
Although it appeared to be simple catching-up breakfast between the two NBA stars, the scene in Boston certainly triggered widespread speculations that the two might team up in the near future, especially with Rondo becoming an unrestricted free-agent next summer.
Bryant, who is also putting up big numbers (Averaging at least 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game) after recovering from two major surgeries ( Fractured knee and torn Achilles Heel), has been recruiting for help since last offseason, though his effort to attract Carmelo Anthony did not pan out well.
Meanwhile, Holmes believed the Lakers could get Rondo without waiting for next summer by sending two first-rounder and Steve Nash's expiring contract to the Celtics.
"Kobe & Rondo grabbed breakfast in Boston. KB loves him. LAL could probably get RR for two 1sts + Nash expiring deal," Holmes posted on his Twitter account.
The Lakers currently have a first-round pick that they acquired in a previous trade with the Houston Rockets for Jeremy Lin, and potential another, high-pick if they finished the season with the fifth worst record (The Phoenix Suns will acquire the pick if they did not finish in the bottom 5). Still, the Lakers will have future first-rounder in the next three years, and general manager Mitch Kupchack can easily flip it for Rondo's service.
Rondo and Bryant will see each other once again, as opponents on the floor, when the Lakers play the Celtics at TD Garden on Friday.
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