Secondary targets if Sacramento Kings strike out in free agency

2. Mo Bamba

One area where the Kings struggled all season last year was interior defense. Among the worst in the league in paint defense, blocked shots, and overall team defense, Bamba is a player the Kings could rejuvenate. Coming off an injury-plagued season, where the Lakers ultimately waived him of a potential $10M contract for next season, Bamba will likely have a small market and have to settle for a smaller deal and smaller role but could benefit from playing for Mike Brown sparingly.

Like the Grant Williams possibility, bringing in Bamba would mean in with the new and out with the old. Alex Len is a free agent for the Kings and would remain in the open market with a Bamba arrival in Sacramento. Len played sparingly for the Kings and saw his role vary on a matchup basis as a very limited player that could rebound and defend the rim but provide little else.

Bamba’s ability to protect the rim by blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and stretching the floor from three plays is exactly what the Kings want to do offensively. He would provide a different dynamic from Domantas Sabonis when he leaves the floor, but he would surely improve their overall defense when he’s on the floor if he can stay healthy. While the Kings added Chris Duarte this morning via trade, they are still thin at forward and have a chance to add more.