4 Free agents who should be on the Kings’ summer wish list

1. Lamar Stevens

The Kings lack wing defense, which is Lamar Steven’s biggest strength. He started his career in Cleveland as a rotational player, then rarely got a chance to play in Boston, and recently exploded on the incredibly short-handed Memphis Grizzlies. 

Stevens is known as a gritty defender who doesn’t back down from any challenge. He can make life tough for ballhandlers, lockdown wings, and battle in the paint. The Kings could definitely use someone with that mindset—a fighter who won’t just roll over and let the other team get the win once things don’t go the Kings’ way anymore—especially since they are not going to sign some big 3-and-D name in free agency.

Stevens currently only makes $2,092,354 and will enter unrestricted free agency. He has shown his offensive potential over the last five games, but teams still won’t be throwing money at him over the summer. So, the Kings could convince him to come to Sacramento and bolster their bench for little money. 

Plus, once the Grizzlies are fully healthy, they might not have a solid role for Stevens, prompting him to find another team despite being a perfect fit for Memphis’ mentality and style of play. 

Stevens alone won’t change the Kings’ defense for the better, and making a move for a high-level 3-and-D wing should still be the priority, but he would be a nice defensive weapon to have on the bench.