What should the Sacramento Kings look to add this summer?

"‘Royal Roundtable’ is a new feature we’re trying out here at A Royal Pain. You can read the pilot episode on Rajon Rondo right here! Each week, we’ll throw out a topic to the writing staff, and see where the conversation goes from there. This week’s topic is ‘area’s the Kings should look to upgrade this summer’… enjoy, and thanks for reading."

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras): Last week we hit on Rajon Rondo’s future with the Dallas Mavericks, and if he had a potential future with the Sacramento Kings. Most of you (I guess Kyle specifically, I’m not sure what Kareem or Rafe think about Rondo in purple) were against the move, and now is your chance to give me a different name, or an area of weakness you’d like to see the Kings address this offseason.

I’m still in search of that rim protector, which is why I haven’t been able to shut up about JaVale McGee since the Philadelphia 76ers released him a few days ago. McGee isn’t the long-term ‘rim protection’ answer, obviously, but he’s available, and he’s cheap. He’d be a low-risk, average-reward type acquisition.

Before I wax poetic about my love for shot blockers, I’ll open it up to the crew. What are you guys thinking?

Kareem Gantt (@kganttwrites): I think Rondo would be a perfect fit in Sacramento, especially paired up with McLemore, Cousins and Gay. But the problem is, does he want to sign in Sacramento? Remember, Sacramento is not really a prime destination for free agents. This is where the Kings front office hopes George Karl and the new arena can rectify that stigma.

I’m not so sure about McGee. He is a tremendous talent, but he just hasn’t been able to grasp the NBA game, and I think it would be detrimental to Cousins development to pair him with McGee’s immaturity. I think Taj Gibson would be a better fit as a rim protector, but it’s going to be difficult to pry him away from Chicago. Jimmy Butler’s looming free agency could force their hand.

Kyle Robert (@Notoriuskro): In a perfect world, I’d see the Kings upgrading the starting point guard spot and adding a rim protector this offseason.

If forced to pick one, I’d choose point guard. I love Darren Collison, and he was very good before he injured his hip, but I’d love to see him run the show for the second unit. The significant drop off from the first to second unit is a huge problem for this team. Adding Collison to the bench would be a significant upgrade.

Rafe Wong (@rafnation): I agree with Kyle. If the Kings were to add an elite point guard and have Collison coming off the bench, it would make the team so much better. However, I do think there are other needs that have to be addressed before messing with the point guard situation. The Kings need to add a rim protector to their roster. DeMarcus Cousins has been a lot better this season at defending the rim, but if he were to be matched with another rim protector by his side, LOOK OUT! I agree with Kareem that JaVale McGee wouldn’t be the right direction for the Kings to take. He’s a great talent that makes great plays occasionally, but he has also had his share of “knucklehead” plays, which would drive DeMarcus nuts.

I really like Myles Turner, the freshman out of Texas. Throughout this season, he has been consistent in blocking shots for the Longhorns and is starting to gain a reputation for being a pure “rim protector”. He’s also a decent shooter, and can occasionally make threes. The only knock on Turner is that he is still young, and very raw. I don’t think Kings management would be willing to take on another “project” player as they are in a “win now” kind of mode.

Kyle Robert (@Notoriuskro): think adding a rim protector via the draft is a very real possibility. Adding a Miles Turner, Willie Cauley-Stein, or Karl Anthony-Towns next to Cousins makes a ton of sense. Shot blockers and rim protectors generally have the ability to make an instant impact on the defensive end. It’s their offense that usually takes time to develop.

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras): I’m sure we’ll do a draft-focused roundtable soon, but I did want throw some love at Willie Cauley-Stein. I’ve been a huge fan of his for a few years now, and if he decides to leave Kentucky after the season, he’d be at the top of my (realistic) draft board.

He’ll have three seasons with John Calipari under his belt. It doesn’t get any more ‘NBA ready’ than that.

If the Kings decide to move their pick (I’m looking at you, Ty Lawson) I think Kosta Koufos or Robin Lopez would be solid free agent additions. Koufos is less of a rim protector, but he’s a fantastic defender who George Karl started in his last season with Denver. He’s only gotten better on that end after two seasons in Memphis.

Rafe Wong (@rafnation): I also think that the Kings are open to trading their draft pick (if they keep it). I can see them offering the Nuggets something along the lines of Landry, Stauskas, their 1st rounder, and maybe Collison for Lawson and a 2nd rounder. I don’t know how I feel about that deal, but I can it see it happening.

As for shot-blockers, I also wouldn’t mind seeing the Kings sign Koufos. He might not be considered a pure “rim protector”, but he is a good overall defender, which is just as important as finding a sole rim protector in my opinion. He is an unrestricted free agent, so it will be interesting to see if the Kings make him an offer, especially since he was once part of Coach Karl’s system.

One last thing, I also think the Kings need to address their shooting problem. As we saw last night, George Karl’s system is at its best when there are reliable shooters on the court. The problem with the Kings is that a majority of their players are wildly inconsistent from beyond the arc. McLemore is making strides at improving his jump shot, but there is room for other shooters on this team. I don’t care what position he plays, if the Kings can add a sharpshooter to their roster, it will be a big addition for this team going forward.

Kareem Gantt (@kganttwrites): We have a Willie Cauley-Stein shout out in the roundtable!

And I’m with Kyle. I think point guard is the first issue that needs to be addressed. I love Collision, but there are players that are great starters, and some that are great second-unit players, and Collision is the latter. He would be great as a backup, but he’s not a point guard that will get you to the playoffs. His history speaks for itself.

I am partial to Ty Lawson coming here, and I think Lopez would be a great fit. The Kings can get him. He wants out of Brooklyn.

Kyle Robert (@Notoriuskro): I don’t think the Kings would move their first round pick. This front office has avoided moving future assets in the past. Their tune could change if they are able to land a guy of Lawson’s caliber.

I love Koufos. He is very underrated.

Rafe Wong (@rafnation): I like the idea of Lawson coming to Sacramento, but I think Collison would have to be part of the trade if a potential deal happens. This would mean a Lawson/Collison guard pair would be nonexistent. Despite that, I think he would be a perfect fit for the Kings. I think Lawson is one of those guys that can be a good second/third option, but doesn’t solely rely on his scoring to be efficient. Although I think Collison has done well with the Kings, I think Lawson is a better option, especially playing under in Karl’s system.

Lawson seems fed up with Denver, and might be looking for another home next season. The Kings should pounce on this opportunity.

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras): I’m lukewarm on Lawson. Would I take him if the offer were right? Absolutely, but I don’t think he’s a player the Kings need to target.

The Collison stuff is interesting. If he is really as good as he was for the first half of the season, then King’s don’t necessarily have to improve at that position, but Collison has never been this good, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him regress next season. That uncertainty is going to make it tough for the Kings assess their point guards in the offseason. I don’t know what to expect out of Collison next year, and not being able to watch him play in Karl’s system this season just adds to the uncertainty. I’m not saying he won’t be good, I’m just saying we won’t know if he is or isn’t.

Despite my qualms about Lawson, I’d feel a lot more comfortable going into next season with Lawson and Collison than Collison, Andre Miller, and Ray McCallum.

With that being said, I don’t think point guard is the biggest issue on this roster. I think its rim protection, and bench size. We’ve gone two straight seasons with undersized bench units. The Kings haven’t had a true backup center in a long time. I don’t count Aaron Gray or Ryan Hollins, because neither player was ever a consistent part of the rotation. It would be a minor move, but I’d like the Kings to bring in some legitimate bench size, or a power forward good enough to put Jason Thompson on the bench unit.

I’ll also echo Rafe’s comments about adding shooting. McLemore and Stauskas have shooting potential (and Ben has improved tremendously this season) but I’d like to see the Kings bring in some established, consistent, veteran shooting.

Kareem Gantt (@kganttwrites): Yea, the Kings are going to have to upgrade the bench if they are going to be competitive next season. A veteran point guard will help this team tremendously, which is why I’m partial to Lawson and Brandon Knight over Deron Williams, who is on the other side of his prime, and a player the Kings don’t need to chase.

Kyle Robert: Cousins and Gay are locked in. Ben McLemore is basically a lock as well, leaving either power forward or point guard as positions to upgrade. The one alternative would be to move Rudy Gay to power forward and add a wing. It would probably improve scoring and wing defense, and for match ups like Memphis or Portland, Jason Thompson could play more minutes for defensive purposes. McLemore could move to a 6th man role for those games. Versatility can help the Kings get the best fit instead of the best player.

Tony Xypteras (@TonyXypteras): I think we’ve all landed on some sort of rough consensus that upgrades at power forward, point guard, along with added bench depth as areas that should be addressed this offseason. I’d still put power forward and bench depth over point guard, but I see where you guys are coming from.

With Derrick Williams’ contract coming off the books at the end of the season combined with Rudy Gay’s salary decrease; the Kings should have some cap room to play with this summer. And we’ll know a lot more about the direction Pete D’Alessandro and George Karl are taking this team on draft night. Stay tuned.

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