Report: Kings get Rondo on 1-year, $10-million deal
Tap here to view theScore's NBA Offseason Tracker, which includes the latest transactions and rumors.
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.
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.