Top 5 One-Year Wonders In Sacramento Kings History

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Rajon Rondo Sacramento Kings (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Rajon Rondo – 2015-’16

Rajon Rondo had one of the more interesting one year stays in Kings history. Unlike our first two players, Rondo played an entire season for Sacramento, and his numbers were solid enough to get him on our list.

He arrived as damaged goods, fresh off of his one dismal season in Dallas. He squabbled with head coach Rick Carlisle multiple times throughout the season and even seemed to give up on his team in the playoffs. He was looking for a short “prove it” contract, where he could repair a reputation that had been severely damaged. The only team that was willing to give him that opportunity was the Sacramento Kings. Rondo signed a one-year, $10 million deal.

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Rondo played in 72 games during the 2015-’16 season, and formed a very-poor man’s big three with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. It worked out worse than imagined as the Kings finished 33-49, just four games better than the previous year. Rondo got his numbers, however.

Rondo averaged 11.9 points, which was his highest total since his All-Star days. He led the league in assists for the third time in his career, a year after averaging his lowest total in nine seasons. Sometimes, it felt like he was chasing those assists more than he was chasing victories. Nothing egregious, it just seemed to be that way if you tuned in every night. It felt like an audition for his next gig, and a simultaneous “look at me now” to the Mavericks.

It worked, kind of. Rondo has hopped around the league since, not staying with any team for more than one season. But his name was (somewhat) cleared of his transgressions, and that was all he was really hoping for in his one season with the Kings.

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