The first two days of the 2023 NBA free agency have been busy, leaving most notable players unavailable as they either re-sign or find a new team. Sacramento Kings fans were looking forward to GM Monte McNair going after a “big name” in free agency, only to be disappointed when all the “big names” went off the board.
The Kings have still had a successful free agency, as they retained the core group of players that led them to the franchise’s best season since 2005-06. While keeping all five of last season’s starters, the Kings upgraded the bench by signing Sasha Vezenkov, trading for Chris Duarte, and drafting Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson.
The Sacramento Kings could still be looking for roster upgrades, as there are two prominent question marks around the depth chart. The Kings need a third-string point guard, and there are too many questions about the center rotation. Sacramento re-signing veteran Alex Len might have just added more questions about who will be the backup center, as he fell out of the rotation last season.
Here are three free agents that the Kings can target to address those issues:
1. Mo Bamba, C
With a slim agency market, the Sacramento Kings can look to one of the best remaining big men in Mo Bamba to help their center depth. The 25-year-old center is coming off a poor stretch with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he landed after spending the first four and a half years of his career with the Orlando Magic.
While Bamba has spent most of his career as a backup center, in his lone year as a starter (2021-22) he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
The 7’0″ center has a 7’10” wingspan, making him an interior mismatch. After being drafted 6th overall in 2018, Bamba has shown potential but has never reached his expectations coming into the league.
Mo Bamba is a player who needs a chance with the right system, which Mike Brown can provide for him. He is a career 36% three-point shooter, able to stretch the floor on both sides of the ball.
After signing Alex Len, the Sacramento Kings might not want an unproven big man to compete for the backup center spot, but it could be worth giving Mo Bamba a chance.