Kings' five biggest needs heading into busy NBA offseason

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It should be a busy offseason for the Kings. Not only is there a search for a new front office, but the Kings have the No. 12 overall selection in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, as well as three second-round picks (35, 43, 52).

They have other issues to deal with down the road, like whether they retain any of their own free agents and what to do with the log jam at the shooting guard spot. But first things first.

With the draft tentatively scheduled for Oct. 16, here is a look at five of the Kings’ biggest needs and some potential players that could fit in with the current roster in Sacramento.

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In theory, the Kings already have this position filled with Harrison Barnes locked up for another three seasons. But coach Luke Walton split Barnes’ time between the three and the four this year, and with the NBA moving more towards small-ball lineups, there is potential for the veteran to shift over on a more permanent basis.  

The draft is filled with potential fits, especially at the No. 12 pick. Targets should include Isaac Okoro, Devin Vassell, Saddiq Bey and Aaron Nesmith to fill this role. Each of these players have different skill sets, but at least two of them should be available when the Kings are on the clock.

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You might not be able to find a starting level player with the No. 12 overall selection. If that’s the case, the Kings could look for versatility over a specific skill set. Walton used Barnes at both forward positions last season and he relied heavily on veteran Kent Bazemore to slide between the two and the three.

Bazemore is an unrestricted free agent and might be too expensive to bring back. And the league is leaning more towards switchability and positionless players, especially at the wing. Saddiq Bey and Patrick Williams both have the size to play combo forward. Washington’s Jaden McDaniels also is an intriguing prospect, but there are some red flags to be concerned with. He’s a gamble at the back end of the lottery, but he has the body type that teams are searching for. 

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The Kings have some major decisions to make in free agency. One of those is whether or not to guarantee the final year of Nemanja Bjelica’s contract at $7.2 million. Even if the Kings bring back the 32-year-old, they need a long term floor spacer at the four.

Saddiq Bey is 6-foot-8 and played primarily at the four in his sophomore season at Villanova. He also knocked down 45.1 percent from 3-point range on 5.6 attempts per game. Outside of Bey, there aren’t a lot of options at No. 12, but the Kings could try to address the position with one of their three second-round selections. A couple of players to keep an eye on are Zeke Nnaji out of Arizona (if he slips into round two), as well as Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry and Gonzaga’s Killian Tillie. 

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Sacramento has their long-term answer at point guard in De’Aaron Fox and they have both Bogdan Bogdanovic (restricted free agent) and Buddy Hield at the two. They also have veteran Cory Joseph locked up for another season at a minimum to back up Fox. But this group needs something different.

The playoff battle between the Milwaukee Bucks’ Donte DiVincenzo and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat should be an eye opener for the Kings. Sacramento could really use a player like one of these two to come off the bench and mix things up. If Killian Hayes drops to No. 12, the Kings would have to take a long, hard look at him. R.J. Hampton, Cole Anthony, Tyrese Maxey and even Tyrese Haliburton, if he falls a few spots, should be considered as well, especially if the Kings look to shake up their backcourt situation. 

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In case you haven't been following along, the Kings have more questions than answers, although it might be more complicated than just holes in the roster. Is Barnes a three or a four? Will Bjelica and/or Bazemore be back? Will Sacramento make a major move in the backcourt? 

Perhaps the biggest question facing the Kings is Marvin Bagley. Talent isn’t an issue, but his ability to stay on the court and what position he plays moving forward is up in the air. If he is a five, then the Kings are set with the tandem of Bagley and Richaun Holmes, outside of maybe adding another veteran big body like Alex Len. If he’s a four, then the Kings need to look long and hard at the position because Holmes only has one year remaining on his contract and both Len and Harry Giles are unrestricted free agents. 

Precious Achiuwa is a beast and should go anywhere between 10-18 in the draft. If Sacramento waits until the second round, Daniel Oturu out of Minnesota might be there, while both Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman and Gonzaga’s Killian Tillie could make sense as well.

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