Top 6 Free Agent Targets The Kings Should Aim For
With the finals wrapping up between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, the next steps league-wide are devoted to improving team rosters: the NBA draft and the free agency period.
The Sacramento Kings have the No. 6 pick overall in the draft - a position good enough to pick a future star - but there is too many "what ifs" to determine who they will select. That leads us to the free agents.
The Kings have a few players heading into the free agent market, such as Omri Casspi, Reggie Evans, Ryan Hollins and Andre Miller. With a core of Rudy Gay, all-star Demarcus Cousins, sophomore Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas, the Kings will be looking for a point guard and bench depth in free agency.
Because trades are hard to speculate this early, I'll focus on strictly free agents. Here are six possible players the Kings could pick up for next season:
6. LeBron James (Player Option/ 2014-15 salary: $20,644,400)
C'mon. It's highly unlikely he leaves Cleveland again, but who knows? Any team would be stupid not to have interest in the best player in the world. Once the disappointment settles in after he chooses to re-sign with the Cavs, there are still plenty of free agent options. Such as:
5. Goran Dragic (Player Option/2014-15 salary: $7,500,000)
This is another stretch, as Dragic has publicly expressed his desire to return to the Miami Heat. However, if something were to turn him away - such as a trade, signing or draft pick of another point guard - Dragic may not want to play second fiddle again like he was in Pheonix. The Kings need a top guard to lead the offense and Dragic is all-star caliber.
4. Rajon Rondo (Unrestricted/ 2014-15 salary: $12,909,090)
Of course, if Dragic stays in Miami, the Kings will take a look at Rajon Rondo. There have been reports that the Kings are interested in the disgruntled star, but questions about his work ethic and chemistry may turn them away. His salary will be far less than last year's, which is a pro. The only question is: how much?
3. Josh Smith (Unrestricted/ 2014-15 salary: $14,945,778)
With aging Carl Landry coming off hand surgery, the power forward position is looking a little thin. Smith, 29, is coming off a revival season in Houston where he helped his team deep into the postseason. His salary will be far less than the nearly $15 million he made last season between Detroit and Houston, and he is unrestricted. He may be a nice piece next to Cousins - his career splits are 15.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 blocks per game.
2. Jamal Crawford (Team Option/ 2014-15 salary: $5,450,000)
The Los Angeles Clippers have the decision to sign or turn away Jamal Crawford this summer. If they let him free, the Kings may consider signing the veteran 3-pt. specialist to either start or come off the bench for depth. As you can see, his contract wouldn't command much money compared to other top-tier players and he is the king of the four-point play.
1. Paul Millsap (Unrestricted/ 2014-15 salary: $9,500,000)
This is the dream for Sacramento. Millsap is an ideal power forward who plays decent defense, can shoot a three and has terrific inside presence. He will be due for a raise after being a large part of one of the NBA's best teams last year and making the all-star game. If the Kings are willing to keep Darren Collison or sign Cameron Payne with their sixth pick, spending big money on Millsap should be a high priority.
