Rajon Rondo is not expected to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks and will most likely be headed to free-agency. But it seems that he may as well be headed to a rival ballclub, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rondo, acquired by the Mavericks last December, has been a poor fit to Rick Carlisle system. Add to the fact that Rondo has not been the model player under Carlisle's wing, it is apparent that Rondo's value has been somehow tarnished by his stint with the Mark Cuban-owned squad.

Carlisle, assuming he stays on with the Mavericks, has already said that he doesn't expect Rondo to return. This came after Rondo's apparent benching during game 2 of the NBA Western Conference pairing of the Mavs with the Houston Rockets.

Rondo is apparently the odd man in the mix during that game which saw seldom-used Raymond Felton getting playing time instead. That may as well be the last straw and sign that Rondo is done for.

As its stands now, all the drama and injuries may somehow play a role when Rondo negotiates with other teams. And thus far, there is only one team that is likely to offer him a contract, the Los Angeles Lakers.

It is no secret that Rondo and Kobe Bryant had already met and presumably had preliminary talks before and the likelihood of Rondo wearing the purple and gold uniform seems to be imminent.

The Lakers are in need of a veteran point guard with only Jordan Clarkson expected to return. Jeremy Lin is expected to be left out, potentially leaving the slot open for an incoming Rondo.

But another question in mind is whether Rondo would fit in to Lakers coach Byron Scott's system. Scott is no angel when it comes to coaching so it should be interesting how the relationship between Scott and Rondo develops as well.