With Harrison Barnes entering free agency, the Sacramento Kings have two options: re-sign him or let him walk and upgrade the position. After a disappointing round-one loss in the playoffs, there is no reason the Kings should not be looking to upgrade at every possible position. Letting Barnes sign with another team and finding his replacement is the best-case scenario for this Kings team looking to make another jump next season.
Barnes has played in Sacramento for four and a half seasons, and it appears his time is coming to an end. In the first-round playoff series, Barnes played 15 minutes in Game 6 and 14 in Game 7. The Kings should look for a guy that they can play 35-40 minutes in those situations. While he got those heavy minutes in Games 1-5, he could not step up to fill a role needed on both ends of the court.
Harrison Barnes is not a bad player by any means. If Sacramento brings him back, it is not the end of the world, and I believe he still fits the team enough to help the upwards direction this team is heading. With that being said, these are the top three free agents on my wish list that I would love to see the Kings go after IF they do not re-sign Barnes.
3. Khris Middleton
Middleton is an interesting free agent because he is coming off his shortest and worst season since 2016-17. This past season for the Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged 15.1 points per game on 31.5% from three and only played 33 regular season games. After an injury-filled year, many fans are quick to count out Middleton, but what he can do when fully healthy is why I would enjoy seeing him in a Kings uniform.
In the playoffs, we saw the Middleton we all know and love. Although the Bucks got beat in round one, Middleton opened and closed the series with bangs. Having 33 points in both Game 1 and Game 5, Middleton is known for stepping up when the Bucks offense is staggered due to Giannis’ limited play style. Imagine what Middleton could do in an open offense, being able to run the floor and play off of De’Aaron Fox.
While many fear Middleton is leaving his prime, his shot creation and three-point shooting would boost the Kings offense and is an upgrade from Barnes. His current contract is worth over $30 million per year, but as his age increases and his health becomes a concern, I am sure he will expect a pay cut. If the Kings can get Middleton on a discount, then he is a great option, but if not, I would prefer to stick with Barnes.
2. Jerami Grant
At 29 years old, Jerami Grant offers the Kings something they have none of right now: a player that can attack the rim, create his own shot, and shoot the three at a high rate. The 6’8″ forward that played for the Portland Trail Blazers this past season averaged 20.5 points per game on 47.5% shooting from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.
Grant has had his fair deal of injuries, but when healthy is an offensive weapon with elite upside. After having a career-high in three-point volume and percentage, Grant would be great to pair with rising star Keegan Murray in the front court. Whether Grant plays the three and Murray the four, or vice versa, paired with Kevin Huerter at the two, the shooting on the perimeter would be outrageous.
The size and athleticism of Grant, combined with his skill set, might even put him at number one on this list. His athleticism and ability to run the floor is something the Kings did not always get from Barnes and is the main reason I see Grant as a significant upgrade.
His rebounding is not as strong of a trait as the Kings may want when spending over $20 million on a free agent. He only averaged 4.2 rebounds per game last year, with his career-high being 5.2 per game in 2019. While this might be a problem for some, I would love to see him in a system where he can be a small forward and let his offensive game shine.
1. Cameron Johnson
Although Cameron Johnson might be the least-known player on this list, he should be the biggest target for the Kings this offseason. Johnson might be the most underrated shooter in the league, and I would love to see him shine in this Kings offense. After starting his first four seasons as a Phoenix Sun, he got traded at the deadline this past season to the Brooklyn Nets, along with fellow Kings target Mikal Bridges.
Johnson played 25 regular season games with the Nets, averaging 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. The stat that stuck out to me the most was his 1.4 steals per game. Johnson is a very pesky defender, getting loads of steals and deflections. With a 6’8″ frame, Johnson can be active on the boards and on defense, which is exactly what the Kings need to go along with his offensive skill set.
Cameron Johnson has one of the best jumpers in the league, shooting 39.3% from three through all four years of his career. Similar to Middleton, Johnson had knee injury problems this past year, but it did not stop him from showing what he does when healthy. Having multiple outbursts of games with seven made three-pointers, along with a playoff game where he made five and dropped 28 points as a second or third option, are just instances of what Johnson brings to the offensive side of the ball.
While Cameron Johnson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Nets can match any offer he receives, I want to see the Kings go after him and give him everything they can. I am expecting Johnson to ask for $15 million-$20 million per year, which is worth it if the Kings front office believes he is the missing piece to take this team to the next level.