A Royal Pain
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Sacramento Kings: Grading Vlade Divac’s Free Agent Moves

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings smile at the Sacramento Kings Fan Fest on October 15, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings smile at the Sacramento Kings Fan Fest on October 15, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings talks with Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the game on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings talks with Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the game on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nemanja Bjelica

The Kings are hoping that Nemanja Bjelica can be a solid player off their bench. Just last season, Bjelica averaged 6.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game as he was a versatile player and a good shooter for Minnesota.

In my opinion, Bjelica’s pure position is a stretch-four type of player, but he can also play the small forward position as he proved last year when Jimmy Butler went down with a knee injury. With Bjelica’s ability to play both small forward and the stretch four, he fulfills two roster holes that the Kings had prior to his signing which will now give Dave Joerger more flexibility with his lineups.

Not only is Bjelica versatile, but he can also shoot the three-point shot. In his NBA career, Bjelica has made 37.1% of his three-pointers and made 41.5% of his shots this past season. If he is able to give Sacramento solid perimeter shooting for the next three years, then he will be an asset for the purple and white, in my opinion.

In terms of the value the Kings are getting back, it depends on how well Bjelica performs. If he is able to be the player he was with the Timberwolves last year, then I think he will live up to his contract.

Hot. 3 Reasons To Have Nemanja Bjelica. light

The Kings need more versatility and efficiency shooting from beyond the arc, and Bjelica has the capability to provide both those things. But if he does underperform and live short of expectations, then his contract could give Vlade and Vivek fits in the future when they are trying to make potential roster moves.

Grade: B-

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