The Kings Should Sell High on Rondo Now

NBA.com

Rajon Rondo has had a break out season this year. After not playing up to par since his torn ACL in 2012 he found himself looking for anybody to give him a second look after controversy in Dallas. The Kings took a chance on Rondo and signed him to a one year deal worth $9.5 million. For the production Rondo is putting out the Kings picked up Rondo for a steal. He is averaging 11.9 points per game, a league leading 11.2 assists per game, and 6.5 rebounds per game. The only thing that Rondo has not been able to do for this team is put up some wins.

The Kings are 12-20. Despite only being 2 games back of the 8th place Utah Jazz the Kings have underperformed this season. With a line up consisting of DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay and vintage Rondo, and being lead by George Karl, the Kings should be at least at a .500 win percentage. The team struggles though and DeMarcus Cousins still throws fits when it is completely unnecessary. Just a few nights ago he threw a fit when the ref called him for his 5th foul of the game. Rather than just walking away and giving Karl time to move him to the bench he got himself ejected. At the time he was ejected the Kings were up by 2 in the third quarter. The outcome of the game may have been different had Cousins been able to re-enter the game in the fourth. But the Kings would fall to the Warriors 122-103.

With all this said maybe it is time for the Kings to cash in on Rondo rather than hope for a playoff run. First things first, Rondo is a free agent at the end of the season. He may decide to go else where after this season and he will be looking for a big pay check. If the Kings continue to struggle like they are, I'm sure Rondo will look to play somewhere other than Sacramento next season.

Also Rondo turns 30 in a couple of months. I doubt his production will continue at it's current level throughout an entire max contract. So the Kings should attempt to acquire young players or even draft picks in exchange for Rondo.

The Kings really need to take a hard look at what their future holds and whether they will continue down the path they're on and hope that the wins come with better chemistry. Or if Cousins, Rondo and Gay aren't the future and trade them now for something valuable in return. I'm sure that the Kings can get a good return on those guys, including first round picks. Either way the time is now to decide whether or not they should part ways with these players and they should start with Rondo while he has high production.