Rajon Rondo: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent PG
Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo is set to hit the free-agent market this offseason, and the Sacramento Kings reportedly are interested in bringing him back only if the cost is reasonable.
Continue for updates.
Kings Will Only Target Rondo If Price Is Right
Wednesday, May 18
Zach Lowe of ESPN.com reported Wednesday the Kings have set a "threshold" in any effort to re-sign Rondo. If the bidding goes beyond that unspecified amount, they are prepared to move forward without him.
The 30-year-old guard counted $9.5 million against the cap for the 2015-16 campaign, his first in Sacramento, according to Spotrac. Exactly what the Kings are willing to offer compared to that is unclear, but Lowe noted the team's preferred max is "lower than we might imagine."
Rondo enjoyed a solid season playing alongside DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. He averaged a league-leading 11.7 assists to go along with 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. But the team also has Darren Collison, who can handle point guard duties.
Although Rondo remains one of the NBA's top distributors, their overall performance actually rated out quite similar. The former Boston Celtics star ranked 17th at the position in player efficiency rating, while Collison was 20th, per ESPN.com.
So, unless the Kentucky product is willing to return on a team-friendly deal, it makes sense for the Kings to bow out of any bidding war and use those resources to upgrade the roster elsewhere.
The potential market for Rondo should become clearer after the draft next month. A lot of teams could use an upgrade at the position, including the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, but there are still some chips to fall before free agency opens.
He carries a lot of value for teams that have an ample amount of scorers but need somebody who can run the offense efficiently. The biggest issues throughout his career have come when he was called upon to take on a larger scoring load since that's not his strong suit.
All told, Rondo is hoping he can find the perfect fit once the dust settles. He told Brian Lewis of the New York Post in March that he'll be seeking a permanent home this summer: "I want to make this—whatever I do—my last stop."
