A Royal Pain
Fansided

Three centers the Sacramento Kings should target in free agency

By Jonathan Roberts

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 19: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three-pointer against 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: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three-pointer against 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 19: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic backs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the post during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 19: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic backs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the post during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

After leading the Orlando Magic to their first playoff appearance since 2012, Nikola Vucevic showed he’s a true superstar in this league — one who might make his way to Sacramento.

2018-19 Per Game Averages:

  • Points: 20.8
  • Rebounds: 12.0
  • Assists: 3.8
  • Steals: 1.0
  • Blocks: 1.1
  • Shooting: 51.8 FG%/36.4 3PT%/78.9 FT%

As Toronto Raptors legend Kawhi Leonard reportedly used to tell opponents — board man gets paid, and Nikola Vucevic is that and then some.

Vooch, as he’s affectionately called, had a career-year with the Orlando Magic last season, but it’s also possible this was his last year in the sunshine state. While he told Eurohoop he was “satisfied” in Orlando and appears open to an extension, things move fast in free agency.

Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman to the Orlando Sentinel that re-signing Vucevic will be a “priority”, but even he noted that there’s going to be a lot of teams interested in signing Vucevic away from them.

"“Bringing Vooch back is a priority,” Weltman told the Sentinel’s Roy Parry. “That being said, Vooch is going to have a lot of teams who will make him a priority for them, too.”"

While many might not think of Nikola Vucevic as a max contract type of player, he’s well-deserving. He’s arguably the top big man available this season, and, with career averages of 15.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, it’s clear his career year in 2018-19 wasn’t a fluke.

Vucevic also posted the fifth best PIPM among centers this season with a plus-4.27, good enough for 15th in the league. Most teams may not want to dole out big money to a center, but when you’re able to land a 28-year-old All-Star coming off his best season, even a max contract can seem like a bargain.

The ultimate offseason to-do list for the Sacramento Kings. dark. Next

Projected contract: four years, $120 million 

Home/Kings Free Agency