Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo apparently is no longer atop the Los Angeles Lakers' wish list for free agency. According to Keving Ding of Bleacher Report, the Lakers have newfound concerns regarding Rondo and would prefer to sign Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge or Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan in free agency after the season.
Rondo was once thought to be a sure-thing to sign with the Lakers after the season, but that may no longer be the case. Ding reported Tuesday the Lakers' front office is now skeptical about signing the mercurial point guard, given what's transpired in Dallas - declining numbers, bad attitude - this season. Los Angeles reportedly isn't completely turned off to the idea of signing Rondo to a non-max contract, but Ding added there're at least three other soon-to-be free agents whom the team has prioritized ahead of Rondo: Love, Aldridge and Jordan.
Love's future in Cleveland is up in the air. Reports have indicated he's not sold on staying with the Cavaliers beyond this season, with one report from Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler claiming Love would test free agency if he didn't feel like he were an integral part of the team. Given Love's emergence in the playoffs - he averaged 18 points over the first three games - and how his teammates stood up for him after Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk injured him in Game 4 on Sunday, Love could be leaning toward giving it one more season in Cleveland.
Aldridge had been considered a lock to re-sign with Portland in the offseason, but recent reports suggest he's had a change of heart and might test free agency after all. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Aldridge would no longer be a guarantee to stay in Portland if the team didn't make it past the first round, and a report from Jason Quick of the Oregonian quoted a source as saying Aldridge's teammates think it's 50-50 he returns next season.
Jordan is the least likely of the three to leave his current team. Although he's indicated he would test free agency, few if any believe Jordan is seriously considering leaving the Clippers.
Other free-agent targets for the Lakers reportedly include Goran Dragic and Tobias Harris.
