Sacramento Kings Off-season Priorities
What do the Sacramento Kings need to do this off-season?
Is Luke Walton the guy?
Walton is coming back. That has been reported. Fans can stop the guessing and just live with this. Myself, I’m not happy about it. I was a big Walton STAN when the hire was made. I’m not one anymore. He doesn’t have control of the team (despite what players say). Why his guys can’t play defense, or why Walton’s rotations are so poor, that’s on him as a coach. I’ll need a lot of convincing (as will Kings fans) that Walton is the right coach for this team moving forward.
De’Aaron Fox/ Tyrese Haliburton
While this isn’t anything of concern, the duo needs to establish themselves as the alphas of the team. The best young backcourt in the league outside of Sexland, this duo needs to start together. One thing Walton didn’t do was get these two the time to really develop their chemistry. The reason for that, and a possible solution, will be explained at 3.
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Trade Buddy Hield
Buddy has been a staple of the Kings since his trade from New Orleans. His time in Sacramento has come to an end. Look at what the Kings got from Terracne Davis after he was dealt from the Raptors. Hield is making an average of $23 million a year for the 4-year contract he signed last year. Hield is also 28-years-old (questionable). And his basketball IQ is very low. Davis is 24 and Kings can make a qualifying offer to match any deal he gets from another team, which I can guarantee will be far less than $23 million.
Make Delon Wright a priority
Along with Terrance Davis, Sacramento needs to make Delon Wright a priority. Haliburton/Fox/Davis would make a formidable core as the starting unit. Wright can be a spark as the team’s 6th man. He’s a formidable scorer and passer. Wright is able to play both SG and PG at a high level.
Draft Best Available
Even if the Kings are in a position to take something of need in the draft, they need to take best available. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham, or anyone in the top-10. The mistake Vlade Divac made was drafting poorly. We all know about Doncic and Bagley. The Kings fanbase won’t go through that debacle again. A good coach (Walton is debatable as that) will find ways to incorporate his roster into the rotation. There is room to play 3 or 4 guards at one time if the right rotations are run. No need to draft a big and reach because of a need.
Re-sign Richaun Holmes
That’s obvious. They’ll need to pay up. Sacramento can’t lose him. A big reason why Hield needs to be dealt because of the cap space.
-Final Thought-
I didn’t mention Harrison Barnes. I firmly believe he needs to be on this roster. I’ve gone as far as to say he’s worthless as a PF. However, with a unit of Fox/Haliburton/Davis/Barnes/Holmes and pair that with Wright as your 6th man and Bagley as your backup big, I think Barnes as the PF isn’t a bad idea. Perhaps add one more big man in the draft ( again, still taking best available) or FA and using/developing your draft picks effectively.
Kings have a shot at success. They need a clear direction. The roster listed above (avoiding injuries) can be a playoff team. Coaching is a big factor. Walton is on a short leash. If he can coach this team effectively the Kings have a plan in place for the future.
Image Source: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
