3 Free agents the Kings could sign with the non-taxpayer MLE this summer
By Elaine Blum
After narrowly missing the playoffs, it is time for the Sacramento Kings to make some moves that can help turn this team into a contender. The West is already incredibly crowded now, and next season, the Grizzlies will be back in the mix, the Rockets will likely be better, and the Spurs will try to make some noise. The Kings cannot afford to fall behind.
While they do not have much cap space to sign a huge name, they will have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available to sign free agents. Currently, it is around $12.9 million and the Kings need to use that money wisely.
So, let’s look at three free agents the Kings could sign with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception this summer.
3. Royce O’Neale
As a 6’6 forward who can defend well and shoot threes, Royce O’Neale fills some of the Kings’ most pressing needs. While he does not offer much size—which the Kings desperately need—he would provide solid 3-and-D rotational minutes. Sacramento struggled to find that kind of production on the wing all season long.
Thus, O’Neale was already linked to the Kings at this year’s trade deadline. Deciding not to make a move, the front office let him land with the Phoenix Suns, however. Now, once the offseason really starts, the Kings will get another choice to bring in O’Neale, as he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
The forward made $9 million this season and would be available for the Kings using the non-taxpayer MLE over the summer. O’Neale is pretty versatile, being able to play the shooting guard as well as either forward spots, understands his role, and can stretch the floor.
Defensively, he is solid as well and would be a nice fit with De’Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis, and Keegan Murray on that end of the floor. So, while O’Neale certainly wouldn’t solve all of the Kings’ problems, he could be a useful and affordable option for the Kings in free agency.