A Royal Pain
Fansided

5 Years In: Grading Vlade Divac’s Free Agency Moves So Far

By Leo Tochterman

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Sacramento Kings Vlade Divac watches warmups before the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Sacramento Kings Vlade Divac watches warmups before the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings Matt Barnes (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2016

Arron Afflalo: two-years, $25 million (partially guaranteed second year)

Afflalo’s tenure in Sacramento was short and forgettable. He didn’t play as much as he liked, due to the erosion of his defensive skills and the Kings’ plethora of wings already on the roster. Afflalo even refused to enter the game at the end of a blowout once. The Kings waived Afflalo after the season.

Grade: D-

Garrett Temple: three-years, $24 million (player option on the third year)

Temple was a solid contributor in his two seasons with the Kings, helping to add wing defense and three-point shooting to a team that was in need of both.  The contract was fair value for Temple who was also considered a great teammate and leader. At the beginning of the 2018-’19 season with the Kings already having Bogdan Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield, and Iman Shumpert already on the roster at the same position, Temple was traded to Memphis for what amounted to a 2021 second-rounder.

Grade: B

More. Top 5 One Year Wonders In Kings History. light

Anthony Tolliver: two-years,$16 million (partial guarantee on the second year)

Tolliver was a solid veteran presence and had the ability to knock down the three, but he provided little else. The Kings elected to waive Tolliver after the year, rather than paying him the $8 million he was due.

Grade: C-

Matt Barnes: two-years, $12.5 million

The Del Campo High School product Barnes returned home for his second stint with the organization. At age 36, Barnes had clearly lost a step on defense and only shot 32.7% from three while also managing to get into some off-court trouble as well. As a part of the transactions immediately following the Cousins trade, the Kings waived and stretched the remaining money on his contract.

Grade: F

2016 overall free agency grade: D

Another class of guys that weren’t long for Sacramento. Temple was a good player, but Barnes and Afflalo were washed and Tolliver was overpaid considering his role.

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