For the first time in nearly two decades, the Sacramento Kings have a new goal heading into next season: Win a championship. After the recently concluded NBA Draft, the hectic free agency period looms large for the Kings.
While the Kings drafted some assets to address their needs, they have a crucial free agency period impending. Key veteran Harrison Barnes may hit the market along with Trey Lyles and Alex Len. Replacing Barnes will be pivotal for Sacramento’s chance at another year atop the Western Conference, as they look to enter championship contender status.
After a draft day trade that shipped out Richaun Holmes‘ salary of over $10M/season. Sacramento has around $30 million in cap space for this upcoming free agency. Below are three free agents that could be premium fits with the Kings for the 2023-24 season:
1. Draymond Green
This is a bittersweet one for the Sacramento Kings fanbase. However, Draymond Green would bring a championship pedigree to the Kings organization and vocal leadership that is always needed in a locker room. Green has praised and has ties to Kings head coach Mike Brown, who formerly was an assistant coach to Golden State Warriors.
Additionally, Green adds more playmaking and versatility that the Kings’ style of play covets, as his ability to get the ball in transition and run will only increase Sacramento’s pace of play. The most important aspect of Green’s game that would help the Kings is his defense, an area Sacramento struggled with last year.
While Green is a big-name free agent, he also is a big financial hurdle to overcome. Green is expected to command a contract worth $100 million. As a result, the Kings could take another direction, opting for a player that offers offensive versatility and energy and fits their team timeline.
One of the biggest questions about Draymond is his ability to play outside of Golden State, and whether his success has truly been a credit to himself or just from playing with the likes of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson under Steve Kerr.
2. Jerami Grant
A more conservative free-agent option, Grant has become a quietly effective player in the NBA. Coming off a career year in Portland, Grant shot 47.5% from the field, 40.1% beyond the arc, and averaged 35.7 minutes per game – all career highs. He also recorded his second season of over 20 PPG (22.3 during the 2020-21 season with Detroit).
Grant has become a player that NBA teams covet because of his energy, defense, versatility, and humbleness. He would not only plug-and-play effectively for the Kings, but he would be an upgrade in nearly every facet over Harrison Barnes, who Sacramento likely sees leave in free agency in this scenario.
Grant’s off-ball presence would allow De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to continue to be dynamic in their two-man action and dribble handoffs while also enabling them to be a secondary option when needed in the offense. He would elevate Sacramento defensively, giving the Kings someone who could guard the opposing team’s top option each night.
Grant is not necessarily not a home run option, especially at the potential price, but is a proven player that is consistent. Regardless, if Sacramento truly wants to go all-in, Grant is a player this off-season period they could target who fits the bill for the Kings and could make them even more potent.
3. Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma is the grand slam target for the Sacramento organization. Kuzma is young and fits the timeline of the Kings’ youth. Kuzma, like Grant, is coming off a career season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. After declining his $13M player option, Kuzma is eyeing a far bigger payday.
Kuzma isn’t quite the defender that Green or Grant is but offers the length and versatility that the Kings need. Additionally, they could use his scoring boost, as he is someone that could score at will. With the pace of the Kings’ offense, he would only have more opportunities to score.
The biggest concern in bringing Kuzma to Sacramento would be his potential acceptance of what role he would play in Sacramento, as well as the price he may be coming in with. With a potentially competitive market looming for a younger player entering his prime like Kuzma, the Kings may have to overpay to entice Kuzma into joining them. He won’t necessarily be the top option on the Kings, which is where he may be dissuaded from lack of opportunity.
Ultimately, Kuzma will have the most competitive market of the players on this list. While he may come with the greatest risk, he will come with the greatest reward. Knowing that he still has more to offer as a player makes him extremely intriguing for any team.
Here’s to a fascinating free agency for Sacramento. As always, “Light The Beam”!
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