The offseason is coming into full swing with free agency right around the corner and trade rumors swirling. The Kings appear to be ready to be extremely active in preparation for next season with rumor ties to guards Courtney Lee, Allen Crabbe and Dion Waiters.
The Kings drafted Malachi Richardson and also have Ben McLemore, who could be traded, but the most important position to fill during free agency or via trade will be at point guard.
This year’s point guard free agency class is slim outside of Mike Conley who will draw the most money and interest. Outside of Sacramento’s point guard last season, Rajon Rondo, there’s Jeremy Lin, Deron Williams, Brandon Jennings and others who do not seem likely to turn the Kings’ ship around.
And with Darren Collison’s future up in the air, the Kings desperately need someone to efficiently run the point.
// Is signing Rondo back, most likely for more than he’s worth, or making a trade a better idea? For the Kings, only time will tell but General Manager Vlade Divac knows Ricky Rubio is on the trade block.
The first thing to look at between the two point guards is money. Rubio is set to make $13.4 million during the 2016-17 season, (made 12.7 million during the 2015-16 season) and with the salary cap sky rocketing, it is a high possibility Rondo gets offered more than that in free agency.
In terms of numbers, Rubio and Rondo are similar. Over his five-year career, Rubio has averaged 10.1 points and 8.3 assists per game to Rondo’s 11 points and 8.7 assists per game in over 11 seasons. Another important stat is free throw percentage. Rubio is an 81.5 percent FT shooter. Rondo is a 60.6 percent FT shooter. That is unacceptable for a point guard.
While Rondo’s per game stats are slightly higher than Rubio’s and has had four consecutive All-Star appearances during his time in Boston, the free agent guard is not the same player.
This season, Rondo had a better season by the numbers compared to Rubio as he averaged a double-double, 11.9 points and 11.7 assists per contest, but according to many people who cover the team, he was really more of a stat stuffer.
// Rondo was not able to do anything to push the Kings past where they’ve been over the last 10 years. And as far as stats, Rubio also has the ability to create plays for Cousins and the rest of Sacramento’s players.
Rubio is a playmaker first and that was what everyone expected of him when he was drafted. Nobody expected him to be an elite scorer and that’s not what Rondo does either. Even though the 25-year-old has not quite lived up to the hype that surrounded him, he’s heading into the prime of his career as opposed to Rondo who turned 30 back in February.
And if a younger player with similar characteristics doesn’t convince the franchise enough to pull the trigger on a potential trade, Rubio is a playmaker who can also defend the ball on the other side of the court. Although Rubio’s no elite defender, he has room for improvement as Rondo’s defense has depleted over time.
Rubio offers more and making a trade could be beneficial to the team as a whole. If Rondo is set to make more money and the Kings can unload other contracts via trade, they can create more cap space to be competitive in bringing free agents to Sacramento.
For Minnesota, Nikola Peckovic’s recent seasons have been thwarted by injuries after he had played some good basketball. The Kings could send Kosta Koufos on the move to give the Timberwolves more front court depth. The Kings could include McLemore in the deal, which would almost pay for Rubio’s salary.
At this point, it’s difficult to see the Kings trying to trade anyone else besides McLemore and Koufos. And if the Kings have made an offer similar to that, while adding in some cash considerations or whatever else it might be, Minnesota is definitely waiting to hear out other offers.
The Kings might not have enough assets to nab Rubio, but if Kings fans should have faith in anyone to get it done, it’s Divac.
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