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Sacramento Kings: Ranking All 33 International Players In Team History

By Anthony Cardenas

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Beno Udrih #19 of the Sacramento Kings looks to pass against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Beno Udrih #19 of the Sacramento Kings looks to pass against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings
Peja Stojakovic Sacramento Kings (Photo by ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Buddy Hield – The Bahamas

Buddy Hield‘s chapter in Sacramento has yet to be finished, though there is speculation that there could be movement on that front during the upcoming off season. If the team is to part ways with Hield, they should be getting solid pieces in return due to his skillset and accolades.

Hield is the best volume three-point shooter that the Kings have ever had on their roster, and he is the reigning 3-Point Contest champion. He had the seventh best three point shooting season in the history of the league in 2018-’19 and was on pace to eclipse that mark before the 2019-’20 season was abuptly put on hold.

Arriving in Sacramento via the DeMarcus Cousins trade in 2017, Hield has improved in to one of the hottest commodities in today’s league. He can catch fire at any time, and has had a huge part in a handful of comebacks and late-game heroics.

There are downsides to Heild’s game that could end up being the reason that the Kings part ways with him. It is unfortunate, because if Hield were able to play out the duration of his contract in Sacramento, then there is a chance that he would eclipse our final player for the title of greatest international player in Kings history.

Stats with Kings: 251 games, 29.5 minutes, 17.6 points, 41.7 percent from deep

Kings 2010s All Decade Team. light. Related Story

1. Peja Stojakovic – Croatia

The top player on our list comes as little to no surprise. He was a three time all-star, made Second-Team All-NBA, and won back-to-back 3-Point Contests. He finished second in Most Improved Player voting and even received some MVP votes one season.

The greatest international player to put on a Sacramento Kings uniform is Peja Stojakovic.

He was drafted in 1996 but didn’t make his NBA debut until 1998, and even then took some time to break in to the regular rotation. But when he did, the Kings found that they had struck gold. Stojakovic became a deadly three-point shooter, likely the most feared one in the NBA for a stretch. He even finished second in scoring averge for the 2003-’04 season behind only Tracy McGrady.

He was not just a three-point specialist. He had excellent court vision and played respectable defense, and was another capable passer on one of the most exciting squads of all-time (have you seen his behind-the-back-pass to Bobby Jackson? You’ll want to if you haven’t.)

The Kings were never able to make it over the hump with Stojakovic on the team, and they eventually parted ways in 2006 to ensure a fresh start for both sides. He went on to play for Indiana and New Orleans, and even played two games for the Raptors before latching on with the Dallas Mavericks for their championship run in 2011. Stojakovic got his elusive ring and retired on top.

Stats with Kings: 518 games, 34.2 minutes, 18.3 points, 39.8 percent from deep

Next. 30 Greatest Kings Players Of All Time. dark

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