New Sacramento King Rajon Rondo Signs Ultimate High-Risk, High-Reward Contract

+Read full article
Getty Images
Getty Images

The Sacramento Kings signing of Rajon Rondo to a one year, $10 million contract might be bad for the team; or it might be great. One thing is indisputable: it will be great theater for the common fan.

I’ll set the scene.

First off, Rondo’s one-year deal means he immediately enters a contract year, which is always an exciting time for any player. What’s more, he lines up to be a free agent when the salary cap jumps up next year, putting extra millions of dollars into the realm of possibility.

On the flip side, Rondo is coming off of a rather undignified stint with the Dallas Mavericks; his value has perhaps never been lower. He butted heads with coach Rick Carlisle, literally walking out on the team mid-series against the Houston Rockets.

And who is the Kings’ coach? None other than George Karl, who may already have butted heads with the team’s franchise player, DeMarcus Cousins. It’s not just Cousins either — Karl has a history of testy relationships with star players, including Ray Allen and Carmelo Anthony. I’m trying to think of an NBA coach who’s less agreeable than Karl, and I’m drawing a blank. Doc Rivers, maybe? Scott Skiles? It’s a select group.

Finally, Rondo appears to already have asserted his influence on Kings personnel. He reportedly requested the Kings bring in a shooter – quite the power move for a guy not technically on Sacramento’s roster yet! The Kings then signed Marco Belinelli, so Rondo got his wish. However, if he has another bad season, he’ll be held that much more accountable.

On the other hand, if things work out, he’ll have demonstrated initiative and a great eye for the game. If I were an NBA executive choosing between free agents, I’d love to see a player with ideas about how to move the team forward. To me, it shows that the player has a vested interest in the franchise; he’s not just looking to waste a season and then bolt elsewhere for big money.

The Kings, without Rondo, already have a ton at stake this season. They’re trying desperately to put together a good team around Cousins so he doesn’t leave when his contract runs out. They went through three head coaches last season, fired their GM and have been (perhaps unfairly) portrayed as dysfunctional this offseason. They have an owner who wants to win now in Vivek Ranadive, backed up against the popular opinion that they have no chance at doing so.

Add Rondo, an All-Star and NBA champion turned castaway, into that mix and it’s time to get out the popcorn. Rondo, Cousins and Rudy Gay under the direction of Karl has the potential to be a full-on disaster, but it’s also more than enough talent to make some noise in the Western Conference next season. Stay tuned.

Casey Sherman is the Toronto Raptors Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shermham

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon