Should the Sacramento Kings Resign Rajon Rondo?
By Rafe Wong
The Sacramento Kings have finally hired their head coach for next season, so now it is time to focus on player personnel.
The Kings have 6 of their players from this season’s roster that will become free agents (both restricted and unrestricted) this offseason. These players are Seth Curry, Eric Moreland, Quincy Acy, Caron Butler, James Anderson, and Rajon Rondo. It is also important to note that both Anderson and Butler have player options on their contracts, so right now their faiths are out of the Kings hands (per ESPN).
The player that may be the most intriguing on the list is Rajon Rondo.
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To conclude this season Rondo played a total of 72 games with the Kings. During that stretch, he averaged 11.9 points, 11.7 assists (lead the league), and 6 rebounds per game. He also recorded a career-high in 3P% this season (36.5%) and averaged 2 steals per contest as well (per Basketball Reference).
Rondo played a big role in what the Kings did offensively this season, and as a result, the Kings as a collective group were ranked 3rd in the league in points scored per game (106.6).
Although Rondo was a highlight reel offensively, he did have his weaknesses with the Kings, primarily on the defensive end. To finish the season Rondo recorded a 106.8 defensive rating, which contributed to the Kings finishing dead last in the league in points allowed per game (109.1) (per NBA Stats).
Rondo also showed this season that he can be turnover prone as he turned the ball over 3.9 times per game and was tied 7th among point guards in turnover ratio (14.1) (per ESPN).
Overall, through the good and bad, Rondo did have a solid season with the Sacramento Kings. I think it is safe to say that he pleasantly surprised a lot of Kings fans with his ability to still be an offensive playmaker and his leadership in the locker room.
With all of this being said, should the Kings resign Rondo to be their point guard for next season? With Rondo having a much improved year, the asking price for the 30-year-old point guard is predicted to be a value close to if not the NBA max contract.
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Should The Sacramento Kings Resign Rajon Rondo This Offseason?
— A Royal Pain (@ARoyalPain) May 13, 2016
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In my opinion, I think it is time to let Rondo go. He played beyond expectations last season, but I think the asking price for the services of Rondo will be too steep for the Kings. If he were to concede and accept an offer similar to Rudy Gay’s current contract (details here), that is highest I would go in keeping him for next season. However, I just don’t see that becoming a reality.