The Sacramento Kings have the core of their players’ victory, with only point guard depth, but are linked to three free agents who joined the league surrounded by hype.
The Sacramento Kings have missed the postseason in each of the last two seasons, but appear to have built a winning core alongside veterans Dennis Schroeder, Malik Monk, Zach Labine, De Marde Rozan and Domantas Sabonis.
The Core is creepy-like to the Chicago Bulls at the beginning of the decade, with Lavine and DeRozan in starring roles, while the Kings are trying to remove themselves from decades of incompetence in their new front office.
With Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, Nique Clifford and Keegan Murray coming out of the bench, Sacramento has a solid second unit, but linked to the original top draft topic.
Ben Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, playing three All-Star games before injury, and “YIPS” derailed his career. Russell Westbrook was selected fourth overall in 2008 and is simply a sure-fire Hall of Fame who has past his prime.
To add defensive, explosive and veteran leaders, the King is linked to both free agents.
“We still expect the king to bring in another veteran security guard,” insider Jake Fisher reported.
“And Ben Simmons is on the list of potential targets, along with Russell Westbrook.”
Both Simmons and Westbrook have little to embrace their NBA careers. Westbrook had a success with the Denver Nuggets last season, but his recent stint with the LA Clippers and Lakers has been damaging his reputation.
Simmons is still caught up in his blunt instruments in the 2022 Eastern Conference playoffs, but perhaps a lackluster offensive player throughout the league, but he is still a plus defender.
“Generally speaking, the Kings are still players in the veteran guard market,” Fisher continued. “And you can absolutely put Ben Simmons in that conversation.”
Both Simmons and Westbrook are brought as second or third string instruments, and must work on a clear demolition and Play for small market teams with long shot playoff odds.
It appears that King has been decided between these two players, but another former top pick that will stick to the rest of his NBA career could be on their radar.
Markelle Fultz was selected overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2017 draft and is considered one of the biggest busts of all time. His jump shots, reworked early in his career, never took off, and shoulder injuries slowed him down for a long time.
Two seasons after the Sixers, he was traded for the Orlando Magic, where he struggled to stay healthy, but he was a solid backup guard when he was able to play. Midway through last season, he was greeted by the King on a one-year contract and didn’t make much noise.
In Sacramento’s 21 games, Fultz averaged 2.9 points and 1.3 assists.
On paper, Westbrook is the most talented of the trio, but now used to playing the second or third fiddle, Fultz will be the best mentor of the veterans of Clifford and Carter, who are expected to be the King’s defensive core in the upcoming season.
While none of these players will boost the Kings’ title odds, the three-point guard may be a better free agent left in the market that could be seduced to play for Sacramento.