The Dallas Mavericks have returned to form a bit over the past couple of weeks after scuffling for several games following their trade for star point guard Rajon Rondo. Throughout it all, the team has had to endure rumors about Rondo joining the Lakers in the offseason and being unhappy about his role in the offense.
Lakers Chasing Wrong Star Free Agent?
While those rumors will certainly not die down unless Rondo signs an extension with the Mavericks, it now appears that the team may have another set of rumors to deal with as they push toward the playoffs. According to Mavs Moneyball, there are now concerns that Monta Ellis could join Rondo on the way out of town this summer.
Ellis has been playing poorly of late, and the team may elect to decline his player option for next season, which would put him on the free agent market. This is after Rondo is already expected to garner major interest as a free agent this summer, when teams like the Lakers or Knicks may make him a bigger offer than Dallas wants to match.
The team's top priority in the offseason is expected to be re-signing center Tyson Chandler, who is hugely important to the team, as well as one of its most popular players.
Depending on which sources you choose to believe, the team may have little or no chance to convince Rondo to stay, although they have spoken publicly about wanting to do so.
If the team also believes Ellis is no longer a valuable contributor, next year's Mavs team could look vastly different than the offensive juggernaut that fans have seen this season.
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