Is Rondo using the Kings?

[Dukie Dukan]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

 

[hrdboild]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

 

[Bricklayer]

Not a great start Dukie.

 

[Bosnian Diehard]

I'd rather keep him. Boogie loves him, they have a great on-court connection, and even if he leaves (which I don't think he will) I'd rater get extra cap room than whatever we would get in return for him via trade.

 

[Boogie_Fever]

We won't know till free agency hits.

 

[Brick Wall]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

Let's not, and say we did.

 

[kingsboi]

He signed a one year deal because no team was going to give him a multi year deal after last season. With that said, I was saying he was a one year rental and he still might be. We don't know if he will commit here long term despite what we want to believe.

 

[Sac.Kings]

I love Rondo as a player. I loved him for years dating back to his Boston days. That being said, even if he walks, we can still manage to get good players this off-season. As good as Rondo is, he has a major major weakness and that's the inability to hit open shots consistently. It forces you to have an excellent shooter out there at all times with him. His defense has also come into question at times. I would miss Rondo if he left but things happen. However, I doubt that he does. He's got the best big man in the league here. And Cuz loves him. I'm convinced he's staying.

 

[VF21]

Okay let's discuss this.

No thanks.

 

[kingsboi]

I love Rondo as a player. I loved him for years dating back to his Boston days. That being said, even if he walks, we can still manage to get good players this off-season. As good as Rondo is, he has a major major weakness and that's the inability to hit open shots consistently. It forces you to have an excellent shooter out there at all times with him. His defense has also come into question at times. I would miss Rondo if he left but things happen. However, I doubt that he does. He's got the best big man in the league here. And Cuz loves him. I'm convinced he's staying.

The league has become a league where your PG needs to be able to shoot from the outside now a days rather than strictly be a pass first PG, otherwise it's difficult to win games especially if the rest of the team is lacking shooting.

 

[The Hammer]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

Actually let's discuss how out of touch you are with Rondo and his situation, how he ended up here, and the conditions he demanded before signing (must get shooters, must have freedom under Karl to run offense how he wants, etc). We should then discuss how Vlade is not an idiot, and in no way would let Rondo walk.

 

[SacTownGrantFan]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

Do I smell a troll?

 

[Tetsujin]

When it comes down to it, all the players on any team in any sport are "using" the team as a means to increase their own income. So, sure.

 

[VF21]

Do I smell a troll?

\

 

[Kingston Jamaica]

I love Rondo as a player. I loved him for years dating back to his Boston days. That being said, even if he walks, we can still manage to get good players this off-season. As good as Rondo is, he has a major major weakness and that's the inability to hit open shots consistently. It forces you to have an excellent shooter out there at all times with him. His defense has also come into question at times. I would miss Rondo if he left but things happen. However, I doubt that he does. He's got the best big man in the league here. And Cuz loves him. I'm convinced he's staying.

With that said, I don't want to trade him. I want him to stay, because his BB knowledge and understanding is way above the other Kings players. That is an asset on the court. I want to enjoy him playing with the Kings as long as it lasts. Even if he leaves, every game he plays with us is a great school for the other players.

 

[Amit149]

All,

It seems to me that before joining the Kings, no one wanted Rondo because he seemed like a he was not the player her was with Boston. It seems he takes a 1 year deal with this team to prove to teams like the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers he is still worthy of big money.

So is Rondo just using the Kings? If so, why not trade him before the deadline so he doesn't walk and the Kings get nothing?

Okay let's discuss this.

I agree that beofre this season he didn't have a lot suitors, I don't think that trading him is something you should do, like said here before me- I don't think you are going to get a lot in return and by trading him you basically say goodbye to your playoff hopes this season.

About him leaving- I don't think the market for him is as big as a lot of people think despite how well he has been playing, he is not someone teams would take as a backup (and I doubt he'll want to be a backup), he is hard to fit next to ball dominant stars and his defense/shooting still make some problems, if you look at the teams around the league who'll need/want him the list won't be too long, and out of this list chances are we would be able to keep him.

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I think everyone is scared that the chances are more likely that he will leave which is not a good sign.

Teague + Sefolosha for Gay and Belli sounds real nice now.

 

[KingsFanGER]

I don't see Rondo leaving. He is a floor general in a league, that's mainly about ball movement and playmaking from all 5 spots on the floor. Most contending teams are pretty much set at the PG position. So far the questions about his defense remain.
He still has some value, but is a very specific player and if he isn't able to up his defense to a level, where it's respected among the league, he will have a difficult time to find suitors, that will start a bidding war.
As a non shooter, you have to make an impact in every other facet of the game.

 

[Albatros]

I do see him leaving but I thought the same about Rudy so...

 

[Kings_of_California]

I really like Rondo. Not just as a player, but as a veteran leader for this team. I just saw something on Bleacher Report about him drawing up a play during a timeout against the Pelicans.

For a guy who can't shoot, he's still putting up almost 12 points a game, and his FG% isn't terrible. I can tolerate that, even if he isn't spreading the floor much.

I don't think he's terrible on defense, but for a guy with his length he should be better. His steal rate is decent but his overall performance on that end is lacking.

As for whether he will stay or not...I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[KingsFanGER]

I really like Rondo. Not just as a player, but as a veteran leader for this team. I just saw something on Bleacher Report about him drawing up a play during a timeout against the Pelicans.

For a guy who can't shoot, he's still putting up almost 12 points a game, and his FG% isn't terrible. I can tolerate that, even if he isn't spreading the floor much.

I don't think he's terrible on defense, but for a guy with his length he should be better. His steal rate is decent but his overall performance on that end is lacking.

As for whether he will stay or not...I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.

My problem is, that Rondo clearly focuses more on directing our defense, that on actually putting in everything necessary to stop his own man. He should be capable of so much more on the defensive end with his BBIQ, athleticism and physical gifts.
I love watching him orchestrating our offense. But right now I'm incredibly upset with the way he is coasting on D. And this was actually a major concern amongst Celtics Fans too back in the days.
I believe we will be very suprised, when we reach the PO's. Because when Rondo wants to defend and give 110% he is certainly a very good defender.
Even as a Mav he was trying to climb right into Harden's jersey in his short playoff appearance.

 

[hrdboild]

My problem is, that Rondo clearly focuses more on directing our defense, that on actually putting in everything necessary to stop his own man. He should be capable of so much more on the defensive end with his BBIQ, athleticism and physical gifts.
I love watching him orchestrating our offense. But right now I'm incredibly upset with the way he is coasting on D. And this was actually a major concern amongst Celtics Fans too back in the days.
I believe we will be very suprised, when we reach the PO's. Because when Rondo wants to defend and give 110% he is certainly a very good defender.
Even as a Mav he was trying to climb right into Harden's jersey in his short playoff appearance.

This is where I think coaching has a big impact. If Rondo misses a defensive assignment then jogs to the bench after a timeout does anyone call him out? Does anyone lay into him for floating in between two players and letting his man blow by him? I just don't see any accountability on the defensive end with this team other than Willie and Ben being given an incredibly short leash. And with those guys they actually make the right play more often than the wrong one and they still get pulled so there's even less incentive to expend effort on the defensive end.

Our team defense actively encourages other teams to do exactly what they want to do anyway -- shoot over the top -- and it doesn't seem to matter which players are out on the floor, we get burned the same way in every game. The whole point of the pick and roll is to shift the defense out of position to create mismatches, open shots, and seams to attack the basket and we willingly concede those at the first opportunity. So yeah I'd like to see a lot more defensive intensity from everyone but if any of our players actually hounded the ball, fought through screens, denied passing lanes, and hedged ball handlers into double teams they'd be free-lancing outside of the current team defensive scheme.

 

[Kings_of_California]

This is where I think coaching has a big impact. If Rondo misses a defensive assignment then jogs to the bench after a timeout does anyone call him out? Does anyone lay into him for floating in between two players and letting his man blow by him? I just don't see any accountability on the defensive end with this team other than Willie and Ben being given an incredibly short leash. And with those guys they actually make the right play more often than the wrong one and they still get pulled so there's even less incentive to expend effort on the defensive end.

Our team defense actively encourages other teams to do exactly what they want to do anyway -- shoot over the top -- and it doesn't seem to matter which players are out on the floor, we get burned the same way in every game. The whole point of the pick and roll is to shift the defense out of position to create mismatches, open shots, and seams to attack the basket and we willingly concede those at the first opportunity. So yeah I'd like to see a lot more defensive intensity from everyone but if any of our players actually hounded the ball, fought through screens, denied passing lanes, and hedged ball handlers into double teams they'd be free-lancing outside of the current team defensive scheme.

I'm almost certain that nobody calls him out when he mucks it up on defense. He's a respected veteran on a young team putting up crazy assist numbers, and he's the vocal leader. Nobody speaks bad about the boss.

In the end it comes down to the the coaching, and I doubt even they approach him about the issue . It's not like our other guards have any right to tell Rondo what to do on D. They are turnstiles themselves.

 

[jcassio]

I love Rondo as a player. I loved him for years dating back to his Boston days. That being said, even if he walks, we can still manage to get good players this off-season. As good as Rondo is, he has a major major weakness and that's the inability to hit open shots consistently. It forces you to have an excellent shooter out there at all times with him. His defense has also come into question at times. I would miss Rondo if he left but things happen. However, I doubt that he does. He's got the best big man in the league here. And Cuz loves him. I'm convinced he's staying.

This is my post, virtually word for word. Well, anyway, I agree with you, although I think the prospects of him staying with the Kings depends a lot on how we end the season.
I do have a comment on the thread starter, however. The idea that a basketball player may be using their current team to get into a better place the following year is naive. That assertion was almost enough to make me not even read this thread.

 

[Bricklayer]

I allowed this thread to go on through because it was Kings related, but I have major doubts about its origin, and the overall topic again goes to the sickness eating away at the fanbase these days. The team isn't the only group that can't stand prosperity.

-- likely best Kings team in a decade
-- PG leading league in assists
-- PG gets along well with franchise player
-- PG mentioned as leader/mentor

AIIEEE!!! AIIIEEEEE!!! He's gonna leave us! TRADE HIM!!! TRADE HIM!!!


Fanbases always have certain irrationalities built in. Part of the game. But you have to understand the above is not a normal reaction. And I am certainly not saying its universal amongst Kings fans, but that its there at all just underscores the issues the current fanbase has had settling in and getting remotely comfortable or behind this current group.

 

[EIM86]

A real Dukie start for you bro

 

[KingsFanSince85]

If this team finishes at or near .500 and continues to look as if they are building something, I really believe that Rondo will stay here. There's obviously the Rudy connection, which was instrumental in bringing him here in the first place, but he's also formed what seem to be strong bonds with Boogie and even Coach Karl. Also, like many players that have initially rejected the idea of playing in Sacto, I also believe that this town and fanbase has grown on him during the 6 months or so that he's been here.

We shall see.

 

[chief bromden]

Even if he is using the Kings, so what? We get to see great stats put up every night, some nice passes, directing players around the court that sometimes ends up in something positive, and lackadasical defense. For most of my life, that sounds like the perfect King. If he leaves, he might actually have to fight through a screen. I take all my saltiness away if they win tonight though!

 

[The_Jamal]

Fact is, there just aren't many places for him to go. Just a quick run-down of teams in the West, East right now. Also not certain who has the money to sign him, just looking at situations:

Warriors- Nope
Spurs- Would be super interesting, but they still have Parker for 2 more years. Won't move on from him unless he retires with Duncan.
Thunder- Nope
Clippers- Nope
Grizzlies- Possible, but he won't be there first option. They'll want Conley back
Mavs- Hell Nope
Rockets- Nope. Rondo is an anti-Morey ball player. Also they won't be looking for another ball-dominant PG for a long time next to Harden after the Lawson fiasco
Blazers- Nope
Jazz- Very Possible. Need a PG upgrade, but also Exum coming back next season. Might not want to commit big money to a PG
Kings- Yep
Nuggets- Nope. Mudiay is there future
Pelicans- Nope. Have 22 mil committed to Jrue and Tyreke next season. Unless they traded both, which seems unlikely, Rondo doesn't seem like a fit
Suns- Bledsoe, Knight, Goodwin. Too many bodies here for Rondo
Wolves- Nope. Made a long-term commitment to Rubio for the next 3 seasons.
Lakers-Possible, because it's the Lakers, but I doubt they want Rondo crowding the back-court for Clarkson and Russell. Far more likely they spend their money elsewhere in FA. Also doubtful Rondo would commit his last contract to a major rebuilding squad.

East:
Cavs- Nope. Kyrie in place
Raptors- Nope, Lowry in place
Bulls- Very possible, but still have Rose at 20+mil next season and they might want to look at getting Jimmy more playmaking opportunities. Can see this as a viable destination
Hawks- Nope. Teague signed for another season and they'd just turn the team over to Schroeder anyway. Not a good fit.
Celtics- Nope. IT and Smart in place.
Heat- Nope. Committed big money to Dragic last off-season
Pistons- Nope. Committed big money to Jackson last off-season
Pacers- Possible, but very unlikely. Doubt they want to recreate the Rondo-Monta pairing and Hill is signed on for next season.
Knicks- Very possible. Need an upgrade at PG and will want to bring in another big piece to pair with Melo and Porzingis. Big market
Hornets- Nope. Kemba's there guy
Wizards- Nope. Wall in place
Magic- Nope. Payton in place and Dipo would take over for him if they moved on from Payton. Not the right fit
Bucks- Possible I guess, but seems like an awkward fit. MCW already in place.
Nets- Possible, but they might want to rebuild and ship off their few good veterans, rather than try and retool to be an 8th seed. They'll have the money though
Sixers- Nope. They'll deviate a bit from their rebuild plan with their new FO guys, but I doubt it'll start with a max deal to Rondo.


Could be wrong on some of these situations, but the only teams who I could see having any serious interest in Rondo are the Jazz, Knicks and us. Pretty much everyone else is already set at PG.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Let's not, and say we did.

Not a good sign when your first thread runs into a ...