Bay Area Sports: Ranking the Top 30 Players

Nov 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) moves in against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

#17 – Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings

When Rajon Rondo is hungry and motivated, there aren’t many point guards in the NBA that are better. After a trade to the Dallas Mavericks last season, Rondo seemed to lose some of that motivation. He definitely looks like he’s found it again with the Kings.

Rondo signed a one-year deal with the Kings in the offseason, taking a chance on himself, betting that he could return to his past glory. After a couple slow games to start the season, Rondo has found a rhythm with his new teammates. In the first 14 games of the season, Rondo is averaging over 12 points, and is first in the NBA with 10.8 assists per game. In his 14th game as a King, Rondo set the Sacramento-era Kings’ record with 20 assists in a game.

Rondo was once one of the best triple-double artists in the game and has tapped back into that with Sacramento. In a six-game span this year, Rondo totaled four triple-doubles, with the middle two leading the Kings to victory. He leads the NBA in triple-doubles in the early-going of this season.

The Kings underwent an extreme roster overhaul in this past offseason, and Rondo was the biggest piece added to the puzzle. The roster is talented, and they need some leaders to put them over the top. Rondo can do that if he continues playing at a high level.

Next: The Ageless Wonder