A Royal Pain
Fansided

Who can the Sacramento Kings target to backup De’Aaron Fox?

By John Kelly

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 09: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during the game on March 9, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 09: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during the game on March 9, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 19: Malcolm Brogdon #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 19: Malcolm Brogdon #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Malcolm Brogdon

Malcom Brogdon fits the mold of the front office wanting younger players to grow together as a unit.  At 26-years-old, he is younger than Thomas and Rose, who both come in at 30-plus-years-old. Career averages of 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game are great numbers for a young player with still plenty of upside.

As great as this sounds,  the Milwaukee Bucks are trying to build a championship-caliber team and they will spend the money to keep their players — especially their young ones. If not there will be a lot of teams making offers for his services and, as always, it will come down to money and how much Sacramento can offer.

Emmanuel Mudiay

There was talk of the Kings taking Mudiay back in the 2015 NBA Draft, but in the end the Kings chose Willie Cauley-Stein.

Mudiay has had trouble adjusting to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, but played better after moving to the Knicks. Pairing Emmanuel Mudiay with a younger coach that can help him develop could be what his career needs and this, low-risk thinking is how you get to the next level without breaking the bank.

With career numbers of 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists (14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 2018-19), Mudiay has shown an ability to score and assist at a good level for a backup and at 6’-5” tall, his height would give the Kings another option to throw at defenses.

Ish Smith

Ish Smith is a point guard who could step in for Fox and keep the pace going at a high level.

His 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game are lower than other options, but Smith would make his mark by getting the ball up the court quickly and in the hands of the right players. The Kings speed would not drop when Fox takes a breather and that’s what the Kings need off the bench maintain their break-neck play style for 48 minutes.

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Elfrid Payton

When you look at Elfrid Payton his name does not jump off the chart as a player the Kings need to go after. That said, Payton is young energetic player like many of the others on this list who Sacramento should take a look at.

With college phenom Zion Williamson likely going to the Pelicans with the first overall pick, Payton might look to remain in New Orleans, but the Sacramento Kings should still kick the tires on him. His scoring was a bit higher when he was with the Orlando Magic, but with the right coaching staff Payton’s scoring ability could still improve.

Chipping in 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, Payton will help what ever team he signs with.

Ricky Rubio

With Rubio’s name coming up around the trade deadline, it makes sense for the Sacramento Kings to look at him now.

Ricky Rubio played well with the Utah Jazz in the postseason and he checks a lot of the boxes.  Posting 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.7 APG per game, at 28-years-old,  he would bring playmaking and experience that would, not only help DeAaron Fox, but the whole team.

Rubio’s market value, however, could dampen the Kings’ interest depending on how many teams — including the Jazz — make offers.

Ricky plays the same way with every team he has been on. He’s a streaky shooter, and big-time playmaker who gives you 100% effort when on the court.

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