The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that two factors play in to a trade with the Kings.
First, if we don't land Love I'm not sure that Danny rolls the dice on Rondo staying. But even more influential might be the #6 pick. I listened to the BS Report last night and Chad Ford seemed to think that Embiid was likely to slip to the C's (for a number of reasons). If we pick Embiid that means at least another rebuilding season, Ford says 2 minimum. I doubt Rondo wants to endure that and I doubt Danny would want Rondo on long-term rebuilding project.
The only reason I think we'd offer Rondo to SAC for #8 instead of LAL at #7 is because SAC can offer McLemore. #8 and McLemore for Rondo is pretty excellent value for 1 year of an all-star PG. Furthermore Rondo, Gay and Cousins might make the playoffs out west, especially if they can land Smith too.
Something like this:
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ohqomwywith #8 and DET 2015 2nd round going to SAC
The Pistons do it to wipe Josh Smith off of their books in 1 year. He is overpaid and was a bad signing by a GM trying to hit a homerun. It has the added bonus of allowing them to stink this year while netting a high draft pick in the touted 2015 draft class. Green will fit in nicely there a Terry expires this season.
The Kings do it because they can compete for the first time in a decade. Rondo, Gay, Smith and Cousins is a playoff team, assuming they don't kill each other. It also sounds like a really fun team to watch. I wouldn't make this move but then again I wouldn't have traded for Gay or thrown $ at Landry or Thompson.
We do it to go full rebuild. Let AB walk (or S&T for a 2nd rounder) and pray Steven's head doesn't explode. We probably net a top-5 pick next year and try to make a splash in the FA market (I know, unlikely).