With the 2022-23 NBA free agency period coming to a progressive stop, and most of the offseason moves already made, many franchises have their eyes set on next season. Additionally, many organizations have a foot in the door towards the 2023-24 offseason, such as each team’s free agency class. Below is a deeper look into each of Sacramento’s potential 2024 free agents:
Domantas Sabonis: Locked in Sacramento long-term as a franchise cornerstone
Part of the Kings’ formula for this offseason, Sacramento locked in their franchise big man to a long-term extension of 5 years, $217M, saving a potential $13M on an extension that keeps Sabonis with the Kings for the future and creates one less free agent for Sacramento next season. After finishing 7th in MVP voting, with All-Star and 3rd Team All-NBA selections, Domas has become one of the Kings’ franchise cornerstones for the rest of the decade.
With Sabonis also locked in the long term for the franchise, the Kings have the opportunity to focus on other parts and pieces of their team for next offseason, continuing to build around the edges and improve the roster with the hopes of taking another step towards the NBA Finals, capturing a long-awaited title the fanbase has dreamt of for some time.
Malik Monk: Sacramento’s most vital bench non-starter has yet to be re-signed
One of the NBA’s most underrated non-starters is set to enter a contract year, as Malik Monk is eyeing a potential sizeable payday in 2024. Monk was a huge player for Sacramento this past season, fueling the Kings’ bench as a microwave scoring option that could come in and score points in quick, rapid spurts. In addition, Monk had a huge postseason for the Kings in their lone series against the Golden State Warriors.
With Sacramento having Sabonis locked up long-term, Monk is their main, vital free agent for 2024, so the Kings will look to prioritize extending him for the foreseeable future with the franchise or wait until the 2024 offseason kicks in. Big payday looming, Monk will look to have another efficient scoring for the Kings, as he continues to develop his playmaking and lead the improved second unit into 2023-24 with the hopes of a deeper playoff run.
Davion Mitchell: Entering the first of two team options in the 2023-24 offseason
The former 2021 lottery pick of the franchise had a down season statistically as his role (and minutes) changed significantly. However, the young guard saw his efficiency take huge strides forward while remaining a strong positive for them on the defensive end, one of the few they had consistently all season long. Mitchell was garnered with the task of defending Steph Curry in the playoffs as the primary defensive option for the Kings against one of the greatest players ever.
Mitchell has shown glimpses of what he has to offer offensively for Sacramento, both as a shooter and playmaker, with his defense being a strong asset for any team in the league. Sacramento’s young backup point guard hasn’t nearly reached his ceiling yet, and with the potential still there, the organization should be excited to see Mitchell’s development next year.
Chris Duarte: Like Mitchell, enters the first of two potential team options in 2024
The Kings recently acquired the Pacers’ former late lottery pick (13th overall in 2021) for two second-round picks, adding to their depth on the wing for Sacramento. Additionally, Duarte offers more shooting for one of the league’s most frequent three-point shooting teams. As a career 35% shooter from three, Duarte (like Mitchell), saw a huge role on a lower-level basketball team but saw his role shrink in year two. For Duarte, a change of scenery was needed for his future success.
As his role shrunk, so did his productivity, and availability to acquire the young player only increased. With a midseason trade two seasons ago that brought Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento, but Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to Indiana, the Pacers’ sudden logjam in their backcourt only intensified with the addition of Benedict Mathurin the following NBA Draft, bumping Duarte down the depth chart more.
After a promising 13 PPG rookie season (43/37/80 shooting splits in 28 MPG), Duarte’s number dropped to 8 PPG (37/32/85 in 20 MPG). Duarte’s got some potential as a shooter. and he offers some length defensively at 6’6″. At age 26 already through just two seasons in the league, he also fits the Kings’ timeline to potentially compete in the Western Conference moving forward.
Kessler Edwards: Potential 2023-24 team option for the 2024-25 season
Another player the Kings acquired, but last season at the trade deadline from the Brooklyn Nets, Edwards has a team option for the 2024 offseason that the Kings could pick if they feel the need. However, Edwards is a young, yet expendable player for the team. Although he did start some games for them last season, he is very limited offensively, with a streaky three-point shot, limited to no playmaking, and isn’t truly seen as a threat in any other way offensively when on the floor.
However, Edwards does have one trait for the Kings that makes him a potentially valuable player in some capacity for them in the future, his defense. The former 2nd round pick measures at 6’8″, and is very versatile in terms of what positions he can defend on a nightly basis. Although not the best defender in the league, or always the best defender on the floor, one thing Edwards will always do is give effort defensively. That’s where he can impact the game for the Kings.
Alex Len: Short-term answer at backup center likely gone after 2023-24 as a UFA
An often-forgotten member of the Kings until a late resurgence of play in the playoffs last season, Len played quite sparingly throughout the regular season. A more traditional center than Domas, Len doesn’t offer the playmaking or offensive game that Sabonis can on a nightly basis. However, Len’s size (at over 7’0″) and length give him a role in games when the Kings need his added stature down low. Even with that, Len is still an at-best average rim protector for his size.
Like Edwards, Len is always going to give max effort. While he’s not dynamic like Sabonis, Len is a decent screener, and rim runner, but also offers solid rebounding when he’s on the floor for the Kings. He runs the floor fairly well for his size, and while not the greatest rim protector, he is still a deterrent at the rim purely because of his length. With all that being said, the Kings can upgrade (and likely will) after the 2023-24 season concludes, looking for more effective options.
While the Kings have several free agents in 2024, many of them are on team options, giving the team flexibility for the next few offseasons and enabling them to potentially browse the marketplace if needed for upgrades. Furthermore, a few of these free agents are also easily replaceable due to their current role on the roster, keeping the Kings in a good position to compete not only in 2023-24 but also in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
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