Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles the basketball up the court in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Kings 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings
Rajon Rondo, prior to being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in early December last year, was known as one of the best point guards in the NBA and had a reputation as a walking triple-double. After spending the remainder of 2014-15 in Dallas, his situation there got worse each day and got so bad he didn’t even receive his playoff share.
Due to Rondo’s dismal play coupled with his on and off-court issues/persona, his free agency value plummeted.
With not many teams throwing fat contracts at the four-time NBA All-Star, he had to settle for a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. On a team with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, guys who were always rumored to play with him in Boston, all of the expectations from the outside world is on Rondo to deliver.
Remember when he was one of the most exciting guards to watch? Remember when he would surprisingly hit jump-shots? Remember when he would almost routinely deliver flashy passes? Remember when he had a 15-15-15 triple-double? That’s the Rondo Sacramento needs.
Rondo also needs to exceed expectations for himself if he wants to ink a lucrative contract next summer with the expected salary increase. The Kings aren’t expected to make the playoffs, but if Rondo returns to his Boston form and puts the team in the conversation, then he’s revived his reputation.
He’s carried an aging team and a rebuilding team, and has showed up when it counts. Can he do it again this season?
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