Rajon Rondo joining Eastern Conference team in coaching role

Jan 18, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) arrives at Toyota Center before a game against the Houston Rockets. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo is launching an NBA coaching career, and one of his former head coaches is giving him his start.

Rondo has spent the week with the Milwaukee Bucks in a guest coaching role during training camp, according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN. Bucks coach Doc Rivers added that Rondo will remain around the team in an unspecified capacity for the entire season.

Rondo, for his part, said he was “learning what it looks like” to be a full-time coach, and that he has no specific career path in mind for himself.

Rivers was Rondo’s coach with the Boston Celtics, so it is not a huge surprise that the Bucks coach would give Rondo a start on the coaching path. There had been some rumors Rondo might be a part of a different team’s coaching staff, but nothing came of those.

Rondo last played in the NBA in 2022, but only formally retired this past April after 16 seasons. Regarded as a strong leader and highly intelligent player, he has long been viewed as a potential coach, so this career move is not a big surprise.