2x NBA champ Rajon Rondo gets probation after pleading guilty to gun charge: Report
A few years after his playing career ended, Rajon Rondo finds himself in trouble with the law. Reports emerged that the former champion has been sentenced to serve probation.
According to TMZ, Rondo pled guilty to unlawful carrying of a handgun. In exchange for this plea, two other charges against him were dropped. Originally, Rondo was set to serve 180 behind bars. However, he's now slated to be on probation. If the former All-Star can stay out of trouble for roughly six months, he won't have to serve any time in jail.
Rajon Rondo had a run with police while driving on a highway in Indiana sometime at the start of 2024. Initially, it was just a routine stop, but the cops found marijuana and a firearm in the vehicle on searching.
At one point in his career, Rondo was one of the top point guards in the NBA. Along with being a four-time All-Star, he won a pair of championships with the Boston Celtics (2008) and the LA Lakers (2020).
It has been two years since Rondo found himself on an NBA roster. In 2022, he played 39 games with the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rajon Rondo's off-court past has had a possible impact on his coaching career
During his career, Rajon Rondo was known for his high basketball IQ at the point guard position. Many expected him to enter the coaching realm, but it appears that his off-court doings have been a major roadblock.
Earlier this summer, the LA Lakers were in search of a new coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham. They eventually settled on former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick for the position.
After Redick was hired, rumors started to swirl about who the Lakers would hire to fill out his staff. Among those mentioned was Rajon Rondo, but one Lakers insider cited that a previous lawsuit hurt his consideration for coaching positions in the past.
The incident being referred to happened in 2022 when Rondo was with the Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time, he was accused of pulling a firearm on the mother of his children, but the case was eventually thrown out after the two reportedly came to an agreement.
Given his resume, the two-time NBA champion would be a great candidate for a coaching position in the league. However, his off-court dealings could result in organizations not wanting to take a chance on him.