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NBA rumors: Sacramento Kings targeting Marcus Smart

By Tyler Watts

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 1: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings on November 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 1: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings on November 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings struck out in their pursuit of Zach LaVine, but NBA rumors are swirling that they are targeting restricted free agent Marcus Smart to fill that void.

The NBA rumors fly fast and furious this time of year, and it is always difficult to know what to believe.  The Sacramento Kings became part of that rumor mill again on Monday.

The Kings have cap space available.  They attempted to sign restricted free agent Zach LaVine a few days ago.  The Bulls matched and Sacramento was left searching for answers.  Their new target may have become clear, though.

Celtics reporter A. Sherrod Blakely Tweeted the rumor below on July 9.

Another restricted free agent

Marcus Smart is also a restricted free agent.  He is 24 years old and a gritty combo guard.  The Boston Celtics own the right to match any contract Smart receives this offseason, so if the Kings get a deal done it will not be a certainty.

Related Story: 3 reasons the Kings should sign Marcus Smart

Fantastic target

Marcus Smart would be a much better fit on the Kings than Zach LaVine. He is a superb defender.  Smart had 104 defensive rating last season and has earned over 2.5 defensive win shares in each of the previous two seasons.  He can guard players one through three and is a pest on the defensive end.  The Kings lack wing defense and adding Smart gives them a leader on that end of the floor.

Smart can also be a secondary ball handler and playmaker.  He averaged 4.6 and 4.8 assists per game the last two seasons.  Smart is a below average jump shooter, but the Kings have shooting threats around to make his life easier.

Rumors true?

Kings beat writer Jason Jones refuted the rumors of the Kings targeting Smart, so it remains unclear if Sacramento can get a deal done.  Adding Smart will marginalize Frank Mason, Iman Shumpert, Garrett Temple, and Justin Jackson to varying degrees.  It will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming days.

Final thoughts

The Sacramento Kings are rumored to be interested in signing Marcus Smart.  Jason Jones made a contrary report later in the day, so it remains sketchy if Smart is a target or not.  He would be the Kings best defender the moment he joined the team and would help the team tremendously on that end of the floor.

Stay tuned to see if Sacramento signs Marcus Smart or how the Kings decide to use their cap space for the coming season.

Next: An in-depth look at Harry Giles first game as a King

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