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.
2. Cameron Johnson
The 27-year-old forward might be the cheapest player on this list, except the Kings might have to overpay him. Since Cam Johnson is a restricted free agent, the Brooklyn Nets can match any contract offered to him. To get around this, the Sacramento Kings might have to simply overpay him to the point the Nets are willing to let him go.
After spending three seasons in Phoenix, the Suns traded him to the Nets in the middle of his fourth year as part of the Kevin Durant blockbuster. Johnson averaged 15.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game with 47/40/84 shooting splits.
Cam Johnson is a prototypical 3-and-D forward. Over half of his shot attempts come from beyond the arc, and his 6’8″ frame with a 6’10” wingspan help him to guard every position. While he is not a lockdown defender, he holds his own with occasional instances of getting beat off the dribble by faster guards.
Cam Johnson has also dealt with injuries, playing just 42 games last season, but he finished the season strong and healthy.
Johnson finished the season on a 35-game streak of at least one made three-pointer, which will likely continue to carry on into next season. Johnson has one of the most impressive jump shots in the league, shooting 39% from deep throughout his four-year career.
Cam Johnson’s impressive shooting ability would give the Sacramento Kings possibly the best shooting lineup in the league, next to Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray.
3. Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma’s name has been circulating in Sacramento Kings’ fan discussions as potentially their top target this offseason. The 27-year-old forward might be exactly what the Kings need next season, rather than Cam Johnson and Jerami Grant, who are more impressive shooters. In his fifth NBA season and second season on the Washington Wizards, Kyle Kuzma averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 45/33/73 shooting splits.
The 6’9″ power forward has struggled with consistent shooting, but his rebounding and defense make him as valuable as the sharpshooters on this list. With a 7’0″ wingspan and the mentality to not back down from a defensive challenge, Kuzma can guard all positions.
Even though he shot 33% from deep last season, he shot 40% on corner threes, which is necessary for any free agent the Kings are looking to sing. Kuzma is coming off his highest-volume season, as he showed off his shot-creating and shot-making ability.
With Washington looking to rebuild after trading away Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma leaving the team could be next. Reports suggest Kuzma could be toward the top of the Kings’ free agency list. Following declining his player option with Washington, Kuzma is likely on the move, and Sacramento has the money to spend on him.
While there is a chance he is not the best fit on this list, Kuzma would be interesting to see in the Kings’ starting lineup, specifically how he would play next to Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. A pass-first big man like Sabonis would be helpful for any of the three players on this list.
1 Floor, 1 realistic, 1 dream player comparison for Kings’ Colby Jones
The Sacramento Kings had a busy 2023 NBA Draft, as they traded up to draft Colby Jones with the 34th pick. Here we give three player comparisons for Jones.