The Kings might have Deron Williams on their radar if Rajon Rondo doesn't sign with them, reports the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones.
Kings could trade for Deron Williams if they can’t sign Rajon Rondo
The Kings have showed interest in Williams before and now have the cap space to make a trade happen.
The Kings were interested in Williams last season but talks were derailed by their insistence that Mason Plumlee was included in the package, according to reports. At the time, Sacramento was willing to part with some of the same pieces they dumped on the 76ers earlier this week to create enough cap space to absorb Williams' $21 million contract. Now, they might be willing to just absorb Williams' contract into that space.
Williams continued a downward trend in his career last season, posting the worst numbers since his rookie year. His scoring has become extremely inefficient, at one point costing him the starting job to Jarrett Jack. It's unclear why the Kings would be interested, especially since the former Jazz point guard has another year under contract that will pay him $23 million unless he exercises an early termination option.
Williams does have a solid assist percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio, which means he can still create for others. He’s also become a league-average outside shooter who connects on a very good 42.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers. In a small role in which he’s asked to run the offense and space the floor, Williams can be useful. But he would still be massively overpaid.
The Kings have to spend somewhere after trading assets to clear cap room and they are running out of options after striking out on Monta Ellis and Wesley Matthews, who both reportedly took less money to play elsewhere. Rondo doesn't have many suitors and is reportedly looking for a one-year contract, so he makes some sense.
If all else fails, trading for Williams in the hopes that a change of scenery will allow him to return to the level he showed in Utah might be the Kings best option. After injuries and two consecutive down years, it seems unlikely he goes back to being an elite point guard. But the Kings need something to show for their efforts to clear cap space and they might just have settle for Williams.
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