11 Players the Kings never should have gambled on

2. Zach Randolph

Randolph was an elite scorer and rebounder but is most known for his days with the Grit and Grind Grizzlies. The 6’9 big man made two All-Star appearances and averaged over 20 points per game for five different seasons. His time in Memphis ended in 2017 when he signed a two-year $24 million contract with the Kings.

Z-Bo was in his mid-30s but managed to be the Kings leading scorer. They won just 27 games and finished with the seventh-worst record in the NBA. Still, Randolph averaged 14.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 25.6 minutes per game.

Sacramento decided against bringing him back for the second season. They were clearly rebuilding. Z-Bo was traded to the Mavericks at the 2019 deadline in the Harrison Barnes deal, but his NBA career was already over. He played his final minutes with the Kings, but his one season in Sactown was forgettable at best.

The Sacramento Kings gave Zach Randolph $24 million for one season where they won just 27 games. He was a defensive liability at 36 years old and was never in a position to lift the team back to playoffs. The Kings would have been better spending on a younger talent that could have blossomed with their core.