A Royal Pain
Fansided

Looking ahead to Sacramento’s potential free agency class next season

By Treyvon Hastings

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings stands for the national anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings stands for the national anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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.

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