Rajon Rondo announces retirement from the NBA after 16 seasons

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

One of the greatest point guards to ever set foot in the NBA hardwood just called it a career.

It was a fun ride, Rajon Rondo.

During the All the Smoke podcast hosted by former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson uploaded last April 2, 2024, Rondo confirmed that he will be retiring from the league after 16 stellar seasons.

Barnes kicked off the topic after asking the question: “Have we seen the last of Rajon Rondo in the NBA?”, the superstar then responded: “Absolutely. I’m done. I’d rather spend time with my kids.”

Lauded for his high basketball IQ while being labeled as one of the few remaining “true point guards” in the NBA, Rondo last played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2021-2022 season.

During his 16-year NBA campaign, Rondo averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in a total of 957 games played.

He was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns during the 2006 NBA Rookie Draft. However, the Western Conference team traded him to the Boston Celtics alongside Brian Grant for the future first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Little did those teams know that the guy they traded would turn into a monster after becoming an NBA champion with the Celtics in the 2007-2008 season.

Rondo would later on add another NBA championship ring to his resume when the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Miami Heat in six games during the 2019-2020 bubble.

Aside from the Celtics, Lakers, and the Cavaliers, Rondo also rendered his services to the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Atlanta Hawks.

Rondo will retire as a two-time NBA champion, four-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA Assist Leader, and a twice a part of the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

“What a time, it was definitely something that I never took for granted when I was in the game. I loved every minute of it, and I appreciate the brotherhood that I was able to share and bond and grow with over the years. I’ve learned so much in this game and it’s made me the man who I am today,” added Rondo.