The Sacramento Kings had a busy 2023 NBA Draft night, as Monte McNair was active on trade calls. Draft night heated up for Kings fans when Sacramento traded Richaun Holmes and the 24th pick to the Dallas Mavericks to free up cap space. While the Kings did not get anything in return directly, this was a move to set up a big free agency.
Due to the draft night trade, the Sacramento Kings now have a projected minimum of $33.5 million in cap space and could reach up to $35.6 million by waiving P.J. Dozier’s non-guaranteed salary and declining Kessler Edwards team option.
With the recently freed-up money, the Sacramento Kings now have the most cap space of any 2022-23 playoff team. Most free agents want to come to a winning team, so Sacramento should be an ideal destination, given they have the money now.
Here are three intriguing free agents the Kings can target thanks to the draft night trade:
1. Jerami Grant
The 29-year-old forward has been on a journey through the first nine years of his career. He has played on five different teams and possibly a sixth next season. Jerami Grant is entering unrestricted free agency, as the Kings might be ramping up to take a swing at him.
The 6’8″ forward averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game last season for the Portland Trail Blazers. Grant has consistently put up good numbers in the past few seasons, and we would expect him to continue in Sacramento. He had impressive 47/40/81 shooting splits, as he showed off his shooting range, highlighted by a career-high in three-point percentage.
While it might be hard for Sacramento to pay a player who has had his fair deal of injuries, Jerami Grant has proven how valuable he can be while healthy.
Jerami Grant can stretch the floor and play small or power forward. His athleticism, experience, and impressive skill set would make him a great fit next to Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in the frontcourt.
We would like to see his rebounding numbers increase if he comes to Sacramento, but his defense might make up for that. With a 7’3″ wingspan, Grant can effectively guard the 1-5. Jerami Grant would be an exceptional fit for the Sacramento Kings.