These Three Kings?
The clock is ticking. We are mere hours away from the commencement of NBA Free Agency, or as most call it: Christmas in July. Over the next few minutes we’ll take a look at three players the Sacramento Kings may pursue in what figures to be a busy off-season for VP of Basketball Operations Vlade Divac and interim General Manager Mike Bratz.
Monta Ellis: SG: 6’3″, 185 lbs
Pros: The 29 year old combo guard was putting together a fine season for the Dallas Mavericks until PG Rajon Rondo joined the team. Ellis is a playmaker and streaky shooter. He can play side by side with Kings PG Darren Collison in the Kings backcourt. Ellis is also a known quantity to Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive from their time together in Golden State.
Cons: The Kings will have to overpay if they want Ellis. They may be able to lure him into signing a one year deal for the upcoming season with a guaranteed player option in 2016- when the salary cap projects to skyrocket from the NBA’s new television deal. Durability is an issue with Ellis. Whether it’s caused by reckless style of play or love of scooters/mopeds, Ellis can’t seem to stay healthy for all 82 games.
Jared Dudley: SF 6′ 7″, 225 lbs
Pros: The Kings have tried to acquire this stretch 4 the past two years. He can shoot the long ball. Dudley averages 39% from 3pt range. He can defend the small forward position. His acquisition would add high character and that’s something the Kings desperately need. At age 29 he could still give the Kings quality minutes. In George Karl’s offense he would figure to fit in as a spot shooter off the bench.
Cons: Rebounding. At 6’7 he should average more than the 3.1 he averaged in the 2014-2015 campaign. He falls in love with his jump shot.
More from Kings News
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
- 3 Young players the Kings must develop, 2 to give up on
Arron Afflalo: SG 6’5″, 215 lbs
Pros: He’s a dog. He leaves it all out on the court. The 29 year old (Are you noticing a trend?) was acquired by Portland last season to help Portland get deep into the Playoffs. He played a much larger role as Portland lost Wes Matthews (also a candidate to land in Sacramento) to an ACL tear. Afflalo is a sound defender who can ignite a fast break. He can score from both the perimeter and the post. He’s familiar to coach Karl from their days in Denver.
Cons: The health of his right knee is more than iffy. The Kings doctors would have to give Afflalo an extensive medical before he signs with the team. Think Luc Richard Mbah a Moute but at the 2 with the ability to get to the basket and a reliable mid-range jump shot.