NBA free agency is a time of frenzy. With all the contracts being thrown around, it’s a time of hope for NBA franchises and fans. Teams are always trying to make the signing that will change the landscape of their team’s identity moving forward. But for the Sacramento Kings, it’s likely going to be underrated signings and Joe Ingles would be just that.
The Sacramento Kings are in one of the unique situations in the league. The Kings are expected to have 11 players under contract (not including Bogdan Bogdanovic). Sacramento has the highest cap space available of any other NBA team by far. With all this money to spend and not many roster spots available, they have to spend the money on the right free agents.
With all the commotion surrounding the rumors of Hayward’s departure, the Jazz are walking on thin ice. They have roughly $18 million in cap room this offseason, assuming they decline Diaw’s team option (Source 1, Source 2, Source 3). George Hill and Gordon Hayward are the other notable free agents they have to pay or watch leave. Hayward will obviously demand the max, and reports are saying Hill could be looking for the same (Source). Utah owns bird rights to Hill, Hayward, and Ingles, but they would be hitting the hard cap if they re-signed all three on their projected contracts.
The Utah Jazz have tendered Joe Ingles a Qualifying Offer. He will now be a restricted free agent.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 27, 2017
Bottom line, if Hayward leaves and no team offers Ingles a ridiculous offer, they will surely re-sign him. For the Kings, they should look at a potential 3-year/ $45 million deal for Ingles. He will be 30 years old by next season and would be a great addition to any team that will win the “Ingles sweepstakes.”
Fit w/ Sacramento:
Joe Ingles really came on as one of the, if not the best, role player in the NBA. He is more than capable to be a starter on an NBA team and the Kings can really use his presence. He brings elite three-point shooting and is a great secondary ball handler, something the Kings lack.
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Ingles is a good two-way player who can play within Dave Joerger’s system perfectly. He runs the pick and roll perfectly and could be the steal of this year’s free agency. If the Kings really want him, they could offer him a contract the Jazz just can’t match.