Injured guard Rajon Rondo will begin a rehabilitation stint with the Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate.

Rondo has been sidelined with a broken hand since November but the 32-year-old appears to be nearing a return to the NBA.

The 2008 NBA champion and four-time All-Star had been cleared to "ramp up" contact earlier this month but suffered a setback after he needed his hand drained.

Rondo is averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 assists in 11 games this season, while he is shooting 45.5 per cent from the field and 42.9 from three-point range.

OFFICIAL: The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guard Rajon Rondo to the South Bay Lakers on rehab assignment.https://t.co/FAPYeXj1Cw

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 17, 2018