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For better or worse, the Sacramento Kings got their man.
The Kings and free-agent point guard Rajon Rondo have reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $10 million, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears.
After striking out in their pursuit of Monta Ellis, Wesley Matthews, and Corey Brewer – and then signing Marco Belinelli – the Kings' acquisition of Rondo represents the first time this offseason that the team has been able to come away from negotiations with its intended target.
Kings F Rudy Gay played an instrumental role in convincing his close friend Rajon Rondo to come to Sacramento, a source told Yahoo Sports.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 3, 2015
Rondo, a four-time All-Star, entered the 2014-15 season with aspirations of max money this summer, only to see his value plummet after a midseason trade from Boston to Dallas, where he clashed with Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle.
Rondo, who faced a team suspension at one point, was eventually sidelined by a back injury midway through Dallas's first-round playoff series loss to the Houston Rockets, with most assuming that the injury was a mere cover for a team dismissal.
The 29-year-old, nine-year veteran averaged 8.9 points, 7.9 assists, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 68 games with the Mavericks and Celtics in 2014-15.
How Rondo, a notoriously poor shooter, will fit into an offense that features low-post star DeMarcus Cousins and the ball-stopping ways of Rudy Gay is certainly concerning.
The one-year deal is a low-risk move for the Kings, but a Rondo-Belinelli pairing isn't the type of game-changing haul teams should expect when mortgaging some of their future to clear cap space.
The short-term pact doesn't carry much in the way of guaranteed long-term money for the four-time All-Defensive Team member and former All-NBA selection, but if Rondo can return to form in Sacramento, he could set himself up for a big payday as a 2016 free agent, given the expected rise in the salary cap.
Where this all leaves Darren Collison, who already seemed bothered by the team's pursuit of a point guard, remains to be seen.
