Secondary targets if Sacramento Kings strike out in free agency
3. Kenyon Martin Jr.
Reports have come out of Martin Jr.’s unlikely return to Houston and his availability in the trade market. He would be someone the Kings could use as a depth piece and someone that would be beneficial to their roster for his energy, defense, and rebounding. While an inconsistent shooter, Martin Jr. attacks the basket well and is a strong off-ball presence as a cutter.
Martin Jr.’s price would likely be similar to Duarte’s, cheap, involving draft compensation and a fresh start. Like Duarte, Martin Jr. is involved in a major logjam of forwards in Houston, and with the Rockets only targeting more, Martin Jr. would be a capable understudy to Harrison Barnes in the event of injury, depth, trade, or regression from Barnes.
Martin Jr. would create an interesting dynamic with Duarte off the bench, as well as with Davion Mitchell and potentially Terence Davis if he returns for the Kings. Martin Jr. could also be the replacement for Davis in the event Sacramento moves on from him, but retaining both of them would give Sacramento elite depth along the perimeter and give them the ability to play different styles depending on who’s on the court at a particular moment in time for them.
Ultimately, this free agent class is not the deepest, but there are always options via trade, and the Kings can always renegotiate Domantas Sabonis’ contract in the event nothing serious happens for them in free agency. With a 6:00 PM ET start time to free agency, the chaos begins today!
