CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly looking for help in the backcourt to offset injuries that have derailed the team.
According to reports from The Athletic and ESPN, the Cavaliers are attempting to trade for Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo. This news comes just days after the Cavs lost point guard Ricky Rubio for the remainder of the season after he tore his left ACL on Tuesday night in New Orleans.
Shortly after 11 a.m. Friday, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted an update to say the Cavs had agreed to trade Denzel Valentine to the Lakers in exchange for Rondo.
"The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine's partially guaranteed deal and create an open roster spot," he tweeted.
The Athletic was first to report a potential trade.
Rubio is the second guard that the Cavs have lost for the season, as Collin Sexton also underwent knee surgery, which ended his season last month. The team is also currently without starting point guard Darius Garland, as he is in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
As for Rondo, the four-time All-Star is currently in his 16th season in the NBA and his third with the Los Angeles Lakers. This year, Rondo has appeared in 18 games for the Lakers, averaging 3.1 points and 3.7 assists per game in just over 16 minutes per contest.
In his career, Rondo has won a pair of NBA Championships, one with the Boston Celtics and another with the Lakers. He has played with eight different franchises, including two different stints with the Lakers.
At this time, it is still unclear what the Cavaliers would send back to the Lakers in the trade for Rondo.
The Cavaliers are currently sitting at 20-15 on the season, in fifth-place in the Eastern Conference.