The Sacramento Kings could be active this offseason after missing the playoffs yet again, as Rajon Rondo is reportedly a free agent target for the team and this comes as reports have the Boston Celtics interested in a DeMarcus Cousins trade and if that happens, the deal likely would include multiple first round draft picks.
The Kings have not had much success in the draft over the past few years, but Cousins has blossomed into a franchise player for the team, but he has come up in trade rumors multiple times. Cousins reportedly was a target this season at the deadline, but the Kings did not come close to making a move with the center. According to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Celtics are likely to try and push for a Cousins trade this summer, as the team has draft picks to make a deal work and they are motivated to add players after a successful season of making the playoffs.
The Celtics won 40 games and with a ton of cap space opening up for the team, making a play for someone like Cousins is within the realm of possibility. Stein writes that people can "bank on it" when it comes to the Celtics going for Cousins and the team may use the number 16 and 28 picks in the first round to try and get a deal done.
The Kings could be active in free agency if they opt to keep Cousins and build around him, as Rajon Rondo reportedly could consider signing in Sacramento. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the Kings are considered a "dark horse" landing spot for Rondo this offseason, as the team previously showed interest in trading for the point guard and Rondo has a close relationship with Rudy Gay. Washburn writes that Rondo could be a solid option to step in ahead of Darren Collison, who is recovering from hip surgery and he would give the team a "bona fide point guard," which is something they have been lacking.
Rondo is expected to be a top target on the market, but some have speculated that he will not have as many offers as some thought before the season started. Rondo was traded at the deadline to the Mavericks for first round picks and his time in Dallas did not do the guard any favors when it comes to teams getting excited about targeting him. Rondo had multiple issues with head coach Rick Carlisle and he had an "injury" in the playoffs and eventually did not get a playoff share from the Mavs.
A return to Dallas is not happening and Bleacher Report writes that the Lakers are interested in Rondo, but only at a certain price. The team would like to sign Rondo at a "discount", as that likely would help the team woo other free agents for Kobe Bryant. The Lakers also have a top two draft pick and they are looking to add a top prospect with names like Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell targets. If the team takes Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, there is a chance they will not go after Rondo in free agency.
