Rajon Rondo is quietly having a great season in Sacramento, and at least one of his old coaches has taken notice.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who famously butted heads with Rondo last season, had high praise for his former point guard, saying he will be deserving of a huge contract in the offseason.
MORE: Top 15 best PGs for 2015-16 | Jahlil Okafor cited for reckless driving
"He's a max player next year. Someone's going to have to back up the truck to get him," Carlisle told reporters Sunday.
Rondo played 46 games for Carlisle’s Mavericks last season after being traded from the Celtics. Things quickly went sour, as Rondo averaged just 9.3 points and 6.5 assists during his stint, and was rumored to have feuded with Carlisle. Dallas was 31-24 with Rondo, despite his mediocre numbers.
He signed with the Kings after the Mavs let him walk and his play has been a smashing success, even though the team has struggled to a 6-12 record. Rondo is averaging 12.4 points, 11 assists and 7.3 rebounds and has recorded triple-doubles in five of the first 18 games.
The Kings signed Rondo to a one-year deal, and if he keeps playing like he has over the first month of the season, Carlisle just might be right about the next contract Rondo recieves.