Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) moves the ball against Clippers guard Rajon Rondo during Sunday's first half at Staples Center. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo’s blunt first impression of Kawhi Leonard

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Anthony Amador | Last updated 4/4/21

The Los Angeles Clippers were rumored to be legitimate players for several big-name players ahead of the NBA trade deadline. As it actually came and went, they ended up getting only one of note: Rajon Rondo.

While the prospect of signing a 35-year-old point guard might not sound particularly sexy, it was a huge move.

Rondo was the L.A. Lakers’ third best player for much of last season’s title run, and the Clippers sorely lacked an offensive leader of his pedigree in their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

Yes, Rondo comes with a bit of off-the-court baggage. Sure, he sometimes plays a bit dirty.

But he’s worth the headaches.

This week, Rondo sat down with ESPN and opened up about a variety of things. The most interesting? What surprised him most about Kawhi Leonard right off the bat.

“Kawhi, his passing ability is unreal,” Rondo said. “I didn’t expect him to be such a great passer and a willing passer. I said something yesterday and he looked at me like, ‘you know I got it all’ and I was like, ‘oh okay my fault.

“It was just funny kind of understanding that like you know he is who he is and uh seeing him up close in person, I appreciate his game even more.”

Leonard is currently in the midst of another tremendous season, averaging 25.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

Now with an established playoff vet such as Rondo on his side, it will be interesting to see if Leonard will ultimately be able to right last year’s wrongs when the postseason rolls around.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

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