The Knicks’ consistently disjointed and misfiring offense was just a reminder of how much they desperately need a point guard. So was facing the Kings’ Rajon Rondo, who may be sagely putting himself right back to the top of their summer shopping list.
The 30-year-old was smart enough to take a one-year, $9 million contract in Sacramento to rehabilitate his image and has accomplished that by averaging 11.7 points and 11.8 assists per game, his assist total an NBA best and career high after Sunday night’s 88-80 victory over the Knicks.
“I want to make this — whatever I do — my last stop,” Rondo, who has played for the Celtics, Mavericks and Kings in the last two seasons, told The Post.
Asked specifically about Madison Square Garden, Rondo said it still holds magic for him.
“Our players, we walked in, and there’s just something about this place that people love to perform.”
On Sunday, Rondo was there in the Garden to feed DeMarcus Cousins for his monster game, and there to remind the Knicks that — no matter his earlier public doubts about the triangle offense — he’s smart enough to figure out any offense, no matter what shape.
“I’m not against anything,” Rondo told The Post. “I’m pretty smart. I can figure out anything I need to figure out.’’
The 30-year-old had just two points Sunday, but added six assists and six rebounds. It was a quiet night, but a winning one — and one that surely won’t dull any Knick pursuit in the summer. And they sure could have used a floor general Sunday.
After Rondo said in February the triangle offense is “not really a good look for me,” Derek Fisher, then the Knicks coach, responded: “You can’t ask a guy that wasn’t very successful playing against it whether or not he wants to come play in it.”
But Fisher has been fired, and the Knicks still have needs in the backcourt.
Jose Calderon is 34 and could potentially be waived using the stretch provision, or find himself in a reserve role. He finished with three points on 1-of-4 shooting on Sunday, while Sacha Vujacic was scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting and Arron Afflalo had six points on 2-of-8 shooting. Jerian Grant had 14 off the bench.
The Knicks have money, at least $18 million in cap space to use this summer. It’s unclear whether Knicks president Phil Jackson plans to spend it on a top-tier point guard, but it’s pretty obvious Rondo doesn’t plan to take himself out of the running before the race starts.
The Knicks haven’t been set at the point guard spot since Jason Kidd ran the show three years ago. It’s no coincidence that was the last time they actually made the playoffs, winning 54 games. In a point guard-driven league — witness Steph Curry and what the Warriors are doing — it’s almost impossible to win without one.
While Jackson has implied he might not chase a top-flight lead guard this summer, Carmelo Anthony has campaigned for Rondo, and interim coach Kurt Rambis is high on Rondo’s ability to fit into the triangle. Knicks general manager Steve Mills spent 30 minutes talking with Rondo’s agent, Billy Duffy, in Oakland, Calif., last week.