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Sacramento Kings: What Would It Take To Land Rajon Rondo?

By Mark Vandeusen

Feb 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks point guard Jose Calderon (right) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks point guard Jose Calderon (right) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Isaiah Thomas now a member of the Phoenix Suns, the Sacramento Kings have a hole to fill at point guard.  Darren Collison and Ramon Sessions are serviceable players, but neither is the solution.  Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics might be.

The “Rondo to the Kings” rumor has gained a little bit of steam lately due to a couple prominent NBA scribes.  In a recent web chat, Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders wrote:

"Rondo has plenty of friends around the league and guys who would like to play with him. … a team looking to become relevant like Sacramento could take a look. So while most teams aren’t going to sell the barn to grab him, the man is still an All-Star level performer who will put in all of the work needed to win. Let me repeat. Say what you want about Rondo, but the man puts in the work and plays to win.You have to respect that."

And in Grantland’s Sacramento Kings 2014-15 preview, Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose had the following conversation:

"Simmons: “Neither of us think Sacramento is a playoff team this year.  Although, if they made some crazy trade for Rondo it’s not inconceivable. … Could they trade for Rondo?”Rose: “They are going to try to make a splash for an All-Star player.  Whoever they trade for is going to be somebody that’s been an All-Star more than once.”"

For the record, Boston’s point guard is a four-time All-Star.  If the Kings are interested in acquiring Rondo’s services, what would they have to give up in order to get him?

The common perception is that Rondo’s trade value is not what it used to be.  He’s missed significant time over the last two years, and has yet to reestablish himself as the player he was before tearing his ACL in 2013.  Rondo’s contract is also up at the end of the season, something Simmons noted could well prevent the Kings from pursuing him.

Whether or not he’s right, Ainge clearly has a higher opinion of his captain’s worth than most other clubs around the league do.

However, Celtics general manager

Danny Ainge

may not be as quick to pull the trigger on a Rondo deal as most people might think.  Year after year there have been reports of Rondo’s availability, and each time Ainge has neglected to trade him.

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Whether or not he’s right, Ainge clearly has a higher opinion of his captain’s worth than most other clubs around the league do.  Don’t be surprised if the Celtics hold on to Rondo and take their chances at re-signing him next offseason.

For Boston to finally pull the trigger and deal Rondo, it may well take more than Sacramento is willing to give up.

DeMarcus Cousins is obviously off the table, and there’s not a lot left on the Kings roster that would be of interest to the Celtics.  Sacramento’s two most recent lottery picks, Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas, could be the only other Kings players desirable to Boston.

Neither McLemore or Stauskas alone is going to entice the Celtics to move Rondo, especially considering Boston just extended shooting guard Avery Bradley for four years and $32 million.  An offer of McLemore or Stauskas and a future first-round pick might get Ainge’s attention though.

In order to balance Rondo’s $12.9 million salary (McLemore makes roughly $3 million, Stauskas $2.7 million) Derrick Williams‘ potentially-expiring $6.3 million deal would likely be included, and possibly Sessions ($2 mil) and someone like Ryan Hollins ($900,000, and a former Celtic) as well.

Would the Kings want to trade McLemore or Stauskas, Williams, Sessions, Hollins and their 2015 or 2016 first-round pick (depending on a previous deal) for what might be just a few months of Rajon Rondo?  Probably not–but that’s the kind of offer they’ll have to make to get it done, and there’s no guarantee the Celtics would even go for it.

While it’s an exciting proposition for Kings fans to think about, the chances of Rondo actually ending up in Sacramento are fairly slim.

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