4 Kings who are playing for their future in Sacramento

Kings who are playing for their future in Sacramento: Chimezie Metu

Metu has clung onto a spot at the bottom of the Kings rotation for much of the 2022-23 NBA season. It’s debatable whether he deserves a lot of credit for doing so or if it’s simply a product of the Kings roster holes.

Metu hasn’t been able to get a lot of minutes at the backup center spot. That is fine, as the Kings have one of the best centers in the world in Domantas Sabonis ahead of him. Sabonis is needing 35 minutes at least most nights so his backup only has so much opportunity available.

Still, the Kings have been left wanting more, more often than not when Metu or another backup big man subs in for Sabonis. A strong close to the season could earn Metu a contract with Sacramento next season but even the strongest of finishes to his season isn’t going to make the Kings front office not bring in more quality competition at the backup five spot.

What Metu can do is prove his value and show he is worth rostering next season in the Kings final games this season. After proving to the front office they should think twice before letting him walk in free agency, Metu would be an option as long as he was looking for a team-friendly contract.

Seeing as he won’t be getting much more than that anywhere else across the league, the Kings could have an advantage at a cheap price given the familiarity between the organization and Metu.

Metu will almost certainly be gone next year if the Kings don’t get rid of Richaun Holmes in a connected move. He will have a big opportunity to prove himself during the upcoming NBA Playoffs.