Mar 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings Vice President of basketball and franchise operations Vlade Divac looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Sleep Train Arena. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA offseason has been as entertaining as it has in ages, and the Sacramento Kings have arguably been in the middle of it all. During the free agency period, the Kings made a trade in moving three players (Jason Thompson, Carl Landry, and Nik Stauskas) from their normal rotation to the Philadelphia 76ers for basically more leeway to pursue remaining free agents available.
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At first it seemed that it was a harrowing decision by Sacramento, as management struck out in potential signings of top-tier players like Monta Ellis and Wesley Matthews.
As hope started to reach its all-time low for fans, VP Vlade Divac finally came through. Throughout the next days, the Kings were able to sign up to 5 new players. It’s debatable whether these acquisitions benefit the team going forward, but here are my grades for each signing.
Next: Marco Belinelli
Feb 4, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Marco Belinelli (3) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Marco Belinelli (3yrs/19 million): Belinelli definitely fills a shooting void that the Kings needed to fulfill this offseason. With the offense running through DeMarcus Cousins, it forces a lot of opponents to double team the big man, which leaves his teammates open on the perimeter for easy shots. Despite his shooting percentage dipping a little last season, Belinelli has proven throughout his career to be a reliable shooter, and therefore makes this signing an ideal fit for what the team is looking for.
Grade: A
Next: Rajon Rondo
Dec 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 101-93 win over the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo (1yr/9.5 million): The Kings were lacking playmakers on their roster, but Rondo might be able to fix that. In his past, Rondo was the ideal playmaker. His ability to pass the ball and get his teammates involved in the offense was extraordinary, which made him known as one of the top-tier point guards in recent history. Despite his past accolades, Rondo has been on the decline since his ACL injury in 2013, and his attitude with the Dallas Mavericks this past season sure didn’t make the former all-star enticing for teams this offseason.
The Kings however are still willing to take a chance on Rondo, which might be a good risk to take considering he is on a one-year contract and hoping to earn a better contract next offseason (whether it’s with the Kings or not). Again, the Kings have a shortage of playmakers on their roster, and Rondo has shown in his past that he can be an elite one.
Grade: B
Next: Kosta Koufos
Apr 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) dunks over Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Kosta Koufos (4yrs/33 million): After the Kings made the trade that sent Thompson and Landry to Philly, another big man needed to be added to the depth chart. Not only does Koufos fill a need in terms of position, but also in terms of what the Kings need in general.
The signing of Koufos helps bring an interior presence for the Kings on the defensive end. Koufos throughout his career has proven to be a reliable defender. Not only is Koufos a rim-protector, but he can also hold his own defending the post, which means he can play with either Cousins or Willie Cauley-Stein on the court.
The only knock on Koufos is that the most minutes he has averaged in an NBA season has been 22.4, which questions how he will do when given a bigger role. Other than that, there’s no denying that Koufos is an upgrade at the power forward / center position for Sacramento.
Grade: A
Next: Omri Casspi
Apr 10, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson (21) guards Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi (18) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Omri Casspi (2yrs/6 million): Casspi is so far the only free agent from last years roster to re-sign back with Sacramento. Last year with the Kings, Casspi was a pleasant surprise as he showed a little bit of everything. On the offensive end he showed he can be productive whether it was shooting or driving the ball in the lane, and on defense he was tenacious, and overall solid.
All in all, Casspi’s recent season with the Kings was good, but it was even better when he was playing under current coach George Karl. In terms of what Casspi brings to the table, plus the value of his contract, this signing seems to be a steal for Sacramento as they bring back a fan favorite for two more years.
Grade A
Next: Caron Butler
Apr 8, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Caron Butler (2) attempts a shot over Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Caron Butler (2yrs/3 million): Once again the Kings bring in another former all-star/champion in Butler. Butler may be on his last limb, but he still brings value in both his talent and intangibles. Butler can still shoot, and therefore brings in another threat at the perimeter when Cousins is attracting double teams. Butler is also known as a locker room guy, someone who teammates highly respect, which can also ease the tension that the Kings will inevitably have (Cousins-Rondo-Karl debacles) in their locker room this season.
Overall, it’s a good signing for Sacramento. It seems Butler won’t be playing significant minutes for the team, but when he does come in, he has the instincts and skills to be effective. Worst case scenario, he plays the role of peacemaker in the locker room, which is still a plus for the Kings.
Grade B
Next: Final Thoughts
Jan 27, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) at the American Airlines Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Final Thoughts: For an organization that had no idea what they were doing (according to national media), the Kings sure got a lot better, at least on paper. In exchange for Landry, Thompson, Stauskas, and possibly a few draft picks, the Kings got in return Belinelli, Rondo, Koufos, Casspi, and Butler.
The Kings biggest deficiencies from last season (in my opinion) were their lack of shooting, defense, and IQ. I think its safe to say that the Kings addressed each of those problems and have upgraded immensely during this free agency period. So in conclusion, well done Vlade. Not too bad of a first offseason for an “amateur”.