Rondo retires after 16 seasons: 'I'm done'
Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo is calling it a career.
"Absolutely," said Rondo during Tuesday's "All The Smoke" podcast when asked about retiring. "I'm done. I'd rather spend time with my kids."
Rondo added: "It was definitely something that I never took for granted while 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."
The 38-year-old last played in 2022 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Phoenix Suns drafted Rondo with the 21st overall pick in 2006. The Suns traded the Kentucky product to the Boston Celtics, and he spent most of his 16 NBA seasons with the franchise. Playing alongside Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, Rondo was instrumental as the Celtics' starting point guard on the 2008 championship team.
Over his Boston tenure, Rondo was a four-time All-Star from 2010-13, a four-time All-Defensive team selection from 2009-12, and made the All-NBA third team in 2012. He also led the league in assists in 2012 and 2013 and steals in 2010. Rondo averaged 11 points, 8.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals across nine seasons with the Celtics.
However, he struggled to acclimate to Rick Carlisle's system after Boston traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in 2014. Rondo bounced around the NBA in the following years but led the Association in assists in 2016 as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
The Louisville native signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and won his second championship in the 2020 Disney World bubble as a key reserve. Rondo also suited up for the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers during his career.
Rondo holds career averages of 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.