Winning hasn't come easily for some time in Sacramento, but new Kings ownership and management enters their second full season with many reasons to be hopeful. The Kings won 28 games this past season, and now the challenge becomes getting several talented pieces to play winning ball together. Molding those talented players' games is dependent upon keeping them together.
Kings must make a decision on Isaiah Thomas
The team’s starting point guard is their only free agent of note now that Rudy Gay will be back for one more season. Can the Kings afford to keep him?
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The big hurdle of the Kings' offseason was answered before draft night and before the calendar flipped to the free agency period in July. Rudy Gay exercised his player option to remain in Sacramento for this season, making him $19.3 million richer and giving the Kings more time to lock him into a long-term deal.
Now it’s on to the next most important pieces.
The assets
Draft picks: No. 8
Free agents: Isaiah Thomas (RFA), Aaron Gray
Cap space: -$5 million
Depth chart
PG: Isaiah Thomas (RFA), Ray McCallum
SG: Ben McLemore, Jason Terry
SF: Rudy Gay (opted into player option), Travis Outlaw, Quincy Acy (non-guaranteed)
PF: Jason Thompson, Derrick Williams, Carl Landry, Reggie Evans, Willie Reed (non-guaranteed)
C: DeMarcus Cousins, Aaron Gray (UFA)
Team needs
In terms of pure numbers of bodies on the roster, the Kings don’t need much. There aren’t many free agents or options to worry about, and it won’t be next summer when a number of salaries will be coming off the books. There won’t be any room, especially in the frontcourt, to add a significant contributor unless the Kings like a player who falls to them in the draft.
Sacramento certainly could make a few moves within its guard rotation, which at this point is only guaranteed to include second-year point guard Ray McCallum and, if healthy, Jason Terry. Isaiah Thomas’ rookie contract is up, and the final pick of the 2014 draft will surely be offered something more than his qualifying offer. Depending on whether he’s re-signed by the Kings or not, the team could use another point guard to split minutes with McCallum. They also may need to dodge the luxury tax.
The shooting guard spot could use a bit of depth, but the Kings aren’t likely to bring in a significant contributor with most of the minutes going to Ben McLemore.
Targets
Re-signing Gay might have been the top priority heading into the offseason, but now that he’s decided to opt in to the final year of his contract, Sacramento has a more comfortable time frame to work out an eventual extension. Next on the Kings’ to-do list is to determine if they can retain Thomas, who averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assists per game in 2013-14. If not, they could look to use Thomas in a sign-and-trade for a significant piece in return.
Rumors dating back to May indicated Sacramento might be dangling its only draft pick as trade bait. The eighth overall selection, if kept, could target Creighton forward Doug McDermott, who the Kings reportedly have strong interest in. Sacramento is also exploring some big trades, including a deal for inconsistent Pistons forward Josh Smith.
While the Kings are one of many teams that have rumored interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, it's difficult to see that happening for a number of reasons. Sacramento doesn't have the pieces to get a deal done, nor does the franchise want to hand over young players for what might be a one-year rental. Additionally, Love wants to win now. So while this is a long shot, it signals that the Kings won't be shy in searching for trades to help them get better.
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