Sacramento Kings free agency: Garrett Temple has option

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SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers backs in on Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings during their NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on December 27, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Desire to play for a contender

The desire to chase a ring usually increases as a player advances in age. Men like Temple who have yet to earn that illustrious ring often are willing to take less money in hopes of achieving that goal. David West has done so each of the past two seasons if you are searching for an example. Temple knows staying with the Kings next season eliminates him from title contention. He is also only 32. As an eight-year veteran in the league, his career is more than half over, but it is also not going to be his final season. I would venture that Temple has three to five more productive seasons in him. Giving up $8 million to play for the veteran minimum on the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets does not seem like something Temple will do at age 32.

Ideally, Temple would like to leave this option open, though. He will want another player option in year two or three of any deal to potentially chase a ring as the sun sets on his NBA career. The guaranteed money and options are something to monitor if another multi-year deal presents itself at some point this offseason.

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