Is Rajon Rondo joining Doc Rivers' coaching staff? Clearing the air on why 2x NBA champ was with Milwaukee Bucks

When Rajon Rondo announced his retirement back in April, many fans and experts alike expected him to go into coaching as soon as possible. Rondo was even linked to the LA Lakers coaching job before they hired JJ Redick. He was recently seen on the Milwaukee Bucks training camp, sparking rumors of potentially joining Doc Rivers' coaching staff.

The answer, however, is no. The two-time NBA champion is not joining the Bucks as an assistant coach under Rivers. He's indeed in Milwaukee's training camp in California and was even pictured with Damian Lillard below.

However, the Bucks confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Rondo was there as a guest coach. Milwaukee already has nine assistant coaches on the bench this season, so another addition is not expected.

"Guest coach Rajon Rondo at camp in Cali," the Bucks tweeted.

One of Rajon Rondo's qualities throughout his career was his high basketball IQ. Rondo has been praised by his peers and coaches, so it's not surprising to see him get linked to the LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks jobs.

Speaking to SLAM Online back in 2017 when he was still playing for the Chicago Bulls, Rondo confirmed that he planned on being a coach in the NBA.

"I absolutely want to coach. I've been preparing to coach since I left Boston, really. I study all of my coaches. I watch the way they move, the timeouts they call, plays they draw up out of timeouts, how they run practices, speeches they give. I'm trying to follow it all. I see how players gravitate toward different coaches," Rondo said.

Rondo played under many coaches in his career including Doc Rivers, Brad Stevens, Rick Carlisle, George Karl, Alvin Gentry, Luke Walton, Frank Vogel, Lloyd Pierce, Tyronn Lue and J.B. Bickerstaff.

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LeBron James surprised Rajon Rondo is not coaching at a high level

LeBron James surprised Rajon Rondo is not coaching at a high level. (Photo: IMAGN)

LeBron James and Rajon Rondo are considered two of the smartest players in NBA history. Their partnership helped bring a championship to the LA Lakers in 2020. While James still plays in the NBA, Rondo retired in April. The Lakers superstar was surprised that his former teammate is not coaching.

"Rajon Rondo, for sure. He could process, flip, do things on the go. It's very weird to me that he's not coaching at a high level. I think it's because he doesn’t want to do it. ... Who wants to deal with these rich entitled guys all the time?" James said on his 'Mind The Game' podcast with JJ Redick.

Rondo's guest coach stint at the Milwaukee Bucks training camp might just be the start of a long coaching career.