Name one player in the NBA who isn't on their rookie contract and can match Rondo's production
It's a fair point. If you look at pure "production" (Points + assists + rebounds + blocks + steals ... subtract missed shots and turnovers), Rondo was the 29th most productive player in the league this year.
Of the 28 players who were "more productive" than Rondo... the following are still on their rookie contracts: Blake Griffin, Westbrook, Cousins, Greg Monroe. Rookie contract guys who were slightly "less productive" than Rondo were Ty Lawson, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Jennings and Steph Curry.
Of the 28 players who were "more productive" than Rondo only the following players are paid less. Paul Milisap (8 mil a year), Marcin Gortat (6-7 mil per year), Kris Humphries (8 mil per year). Of course, that has a lot to with big men being the most productive players in the league... clearly you would NEVER swap out Rondo for Kris Humphries despite that fact that Humphries (14 points, 11 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and a steal with 48% shooting and 75% from the line) compared to Rondo (12 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 45% shooting, 60% from the line) ever so slightly favors Humphries. Of course if you put more value on an assist than a rebound, that changes significantly, but I that's besides the point.
Of the 28 players "more productive" than Rondo, here are the guys who have comparable contracts (FYI, these days you can take back 150% of a salary you send out. So although these are considered "higher", you could still probably trade Rondo straight up for them): Kevin Love (14-17 mil), Big Al (14-15 mil), Aldridge (14-16 mil), David Lee (11-15 mil), Josh Smith (12-13 mil), Marc Gasol (13-16 mil), Tyson Chandler (13-14 mil)..... And here are the guys slightly less productive than Rondo: Varejao (8-10 mil), Steve Nash (11 mil), Tony Parker (12 mil), Noah (11-13 mil), Iggy (13-15 mil), Lowry (6 mil), Al HOrford (12 mil), Ellis - (11 mil) ...
Use this data as you see fit.