by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple sources are reporting that point guard Rajon Rondo will be a member of the Sacramento Kings for the 2015-16 season. The deal is reportedly a one-year contract worth $9.5-million.

The Kings had made no secret of their pursuit of the talented Rondo. In fact, many insiders believe that the Kings were the only serious suitor for Rondo as the free agent signing window opened in the NBA.

If Kings head coach George Karl did not have his hands full before, he does now with the addition of the temperamental Rondo on his team to go along with the mercurial personality of star center DeMarcus Cousins.

Rondo’s 2014-15 season came to an abrupt end. After being traded by Boston to Dallas, Rondo’s star did not shine big and bright in Texas. To say the trade failed to live up to its billing would be an understatement.

The low light of Rondo’s time in Dallas came late in the season when he had a heated exchange with Mavericks’ head Rick Carlisle on the bench during a game. That was followed by a one-game suspension.

Rondo missed most of the playoffs with a previously unreported back injury. Most observers felt the injury report was just a cover to keep Rondo off the playoff roster.

Rondo’s run in Boston was much more successful and included a NBA Championship (2008) plus four trips the NBA All-Star game. Rondo became expendable when the Celtics went into full-blown rebuilding mode.

Ironically, Rondo becomes the third Kentucky Wildcat on the Kings roster. Rondo played two seasons in Kentucky for Tubby Smith. DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein played for the Wildcats under John Calipari.

Rondo averaged 8.9-points, 5.5-rebounds and 7.9-assists per game in 2014-15. For his career, Rondo has averaged 10.8-points, 4.7-rebounds and 8.3-assists per game in his nine-seasons as a NBA player.

The Kings made it clear they were seeking a pass first point guard. Well, they have one at least for the next season or until the next emotional blowout, which ever comes first.

Sources have also confirmed the Kings have signed shooting guard Marco Belinelli to a three-year, $19-million deal. Belinelli was member of the San Antonio Spurs for the two previous seasons.

The Kings needed to add outside shooting in order to run George Karl’s “three or in the key” dribble-drive offense. Sacramento did not feel that their 2014 draft lottery pick Nik Stauskas was going to be able handle the job and traded him to Philadelphia in a three-player transaction.

The Kings reportedly pursued shooting guards Wesley Matthews and Monta Ellis. Matthews is reportedly headed to Dallas while Ellis will play for the Pacers next season.

Belinelli will be playing for his sixth team in eight seasons in “the association”. He was the number one draft pick (18th overall) of the Golden State Warriors in 2007.

Belinelli was a member of the Spurs 2014 NBA Championship team.

Belinelli has been a second unit player for San Antonio averaging just over 22-minutes per game off the bench. He averaged 9.2-points, 2.5-rebounds and 1.5-assists per game last season. Belinelli shot 42.3-percent from the field and 37.4-percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He is a 84.8-percent free throw shooter.

Belinelli will need no time to adjust to Karl’s dribble-drive offense. The Spurs play a wide-open offense that encourages the guards to shoot 3-point shots in transition. The Kings will want Belinelli to attempt 3-pointers early and often in games.

The signings of Rondo and Belinelli leaves the Kings with approximately $10-million left in reserve to sign additional free agents. Rumors continue to abound that Sacramento is interested in re-signing forward Derrick Williams who seemed to fit into Karl’s free-wheeling offense during the final 30-games of the season.