Richaun Holmes had a breakout season with the Kings this year, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and blocks and emerging as one of the better defensive centers in the league. But the 27-year-old is entering unrestricted free agency, and as Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee writes, it may be difficult for the Kings to retain him without freeing up cap space via a trade of Harrison Barnes or Buddy Hield.
Anderson takes a look at some of the options GM Monte McNair could choose from to address the massive hole Holmes’ departure would leave, both in the draft – where the Kings have the ninth overall pick – and in free agency, where cheap but productive veterans such as Nerlens Noel, Daniel Theis, and others could come into play.
Jason Jones of The Athletic has similar concerns, and details why the Kings may want to look at centers Alperen Sengun and Kai Jones in this year’s draft.
We have more from out of Sacramento:
- The Kings have been reported to be one of the more aggressive suitors for Blazers star Damian Lillard, but even if a deal between the Kings and Blazers doesn’t materialize, McNair may look to get involved from a different angle, Anderson writes. The Kings have also been linked to Sixers point guard Ben Simmons, and are generally expected to be aggressive pursuing upgrades this summer. If they don’t believe they’re in a position to land Lillard, they could try to facilitate a deal with the Blazers and Sixers, Anderson writes, in order to land Simmons in a blockbuster three-team trade.
- The Kings worked out Isaiah Todd and Jaden Springer on Sunday, tweets James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area. While neither are expected to be in play for the ninth pick, Todd could be available at No. 39 and Springer could be a trade-up candidate. Todd, a gifted shot-creator at 6’10”, could hold interest as a home-run swing in the second round if he’s still on the board.
- The Kings are also working out potential undrafted free agent targets. Scottie Lewis, a defensive specialist out of Florida and Jose Alvarado, the 2020/21 ACC DPoY worked out on Monday, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic, and Jason Anderson reports that the Kings will work out sharpshooter Marcus Burk on Wednesday.
McCollum and Leaf for Heild and Bagley
Lillard for Simmons, Thybulle, 2 first round picks and 2 second round picks.
Then Nurkic, DJJ and maybe a smaller cap filler for KP.
Leaving the blazers with
Simmons Heild Thybulle Covington Bagley and KP to make up the main players with Simons, Little and other FA and draft picks to make up the rotation.
Simmons Thybulle Covington all elite defenders, Simmons has good shooters with Heild, Covington and KP.
Sixers get Dame and Embiid.
Kings get a second star in McCollum
Dallas gets a productive two way big man
I wouldn’t mind Knicks getting Barnes or Heild especially if it’s a true salary dump
haliburton’s a starter, will this stunt his development then with fox and cj dividing up minutes in this senario?
It wouldn’t be any worse than last year, but it wouldn’t be any better either. Basically McCollum replaces Hield in front of Haliburton.
I don’t think Hield gets moved for another guard, he’ll get traded for a big man. Maybe back in a package to New Orleans for Steven Adams + the 10.
Warriors should be all over Barnes. Are you kidding me. He’s built for them
Well they drafted and developed him so…
I’m very interested to see what Holmes gets this summer. He wants 20m but only 8 team have cap space and I don’t think none of them want to spend 20 on a none shooting big. IMO he will get 12(a mil less than c wood).
That seems about right, plus affordable to the Kings. I’d consider asking work for 20 million a year, but work would laugh their butt off.