NBA Rumors: Rajon Rondo is most likely Done with the Mavericks

After a poor Game 2 performance in the Western Conference playoffs, Rajon Rondo's run with the Dallas Mavericks is most likely coming to an end this summer.

Rondo joined the Mavericks back in December and was expected to play an integral part for the Mavericks as they make a run for the 2015 NBA Championships. SINCE his arrival, however, Rondo's playing style simply has not clicked with the team. The lack of chemistry paired with Rick Carlisle's domineering coaching style has rendered Rondo ineffective.

In Game 2 of the first round series against the Houston Rockets, Carlisle ended up benching Rondo after nearly 10 minutes of play. The point guard finished the night with just four points, two rebounds and one assist.

With the lack of playtime and the apparent rift between Rondo and Carlisle, many are expecting Rondo to sign elsewhere when he becomes a free agent this summer. The rumors are pointing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been courting Rondo throughout the season.

Adrian Wojnarowski with Yahoo! Sports wrote,

"Rondo always does the work, the preparation, but everyone could see again in Game 2 that his struggles with Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle remain an immense hurdle. On the court, there were those who believed Rondo's eight-second violation for failing to cross the midcourt line was an act of protest on the coach's calling of plays. Rondo played 10 minutes, picking up fouls for slapping at James Harden, and finally a technical to start the third quarter for shoving Harden out of sheer frustration.

Carlisle banished him to the bench, choosing Raymond Felton over Rondo in the fourth quarter. Everything's pushing Rondo closer to his inevitable free-agent fleeing to the Lakers this summer. As long as the coach is back, Rondo's gone, sources told Yahoo Sports. The parting could be mutual."

The Mavericks will host Game 3 on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. ET. The Rockets lead the series 2-0.