Sacramento Kings: What role will newly acquired vets play next season?

After signing Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and George Hill for a combined $89 million, what role will they play for the Sacramento Kings next season?

With the roster now at 15 players, it’s likely the Sacramento Kings are done making moves after an exciting free agency period (except for maybe additions via the new two-way contracts). After adding veteran leaders on big deals, including Zach Randolph, George Hill, and Vince Carter, it will be curious to see how they fit alongside Sacramento’s current core. For this article, we are looking strictly at what role they’ll hold for next season. For grades and reaction to the deals, click here, and here.

George Hill:

Coming off a productive season with the Utah Jazz, Hill inked a massive contract to bypass playing for a contender. As the Jazz’s starting point guard, he averaged almost 17 points per game to go along with 4.2 assists on a solid 47.7% from the field. While he spent last season as a starter, look for the Kings to start De’Aaron Fox at point guard still. Sacramento can’t afford to stymie Fox’s development just to justify a big contract. Hill is being paid for his mentoring as much as his on-court production. He’d be a perfect addition to the Kings’ second unit, to give them a playmaker on the floor at all times. Because of this, and the fact the Kings are paying him around $19 million per, look for him to be the Kings backup point guard, and first one off the bench.

You can read the counterpoint to as to why Hill may start for the Kings at least early in the season here.

Vince Carter:

Heading into his 21st season in the NBA, Carter can still make an impact. Not just in the locker room, but on the floor as well. Last season saw him play over 24 minutes a game off the bench for Memphis. In Sacramento look for him to play a similar role, albeit with fewer minutes. The Kings are loaded at guard, and it would be unwise to have Vinsanity take minutes from the young guys. His biggest impact will be on the development of Hield, Bogdanovic, Richardson, and the rest of the young guards. Barring injury, it would be a surprise to see him log more than 15 minutes a night.

Next: Sacramento Kings projected 2017-2018 depth chart

Zach Randolph:

The physical embodiment of the ‘Grit n Grind’ Grizzlies, Z-Bo is headed to Sacramento after 8 seasons in Memphis. A year after averaging 14.1 points and over 8 rebounds per game in 24 minutes a night, he will be the mentor for Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere, and Harry Giles. On the court, even after 17 NBA seasons, Randolph provides solid defense and is far from a liability on offense. For a team with a near league worst team defense from a season ago, Randolph will earn his money on that end as a result. Randolph will provide solid minutes off the bench, likely around 20 a night, and help the youngsters on defense. The Kings have the players to be an offensive threat. If they can learn to play defense as well, they could make some noise in a loaded Western Conference.