Dario

Šarić

Acquired from the Bulls as part of the deal that also landed the Pistons Kevin Huerter, Šarić has been waived. Given Detroit’s frontcourt depth, cracking the rotation was going to be a challenge, especially after he failed to do so in Sacramento. Šarić will be an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers. As for the Pistons, they’ve used the roster spot to convert Daniss Jenkins to a standard contract.

Huerter will offer valuable floor spacing to a Pistons team that has excelled with Cade Cunningham surrounded by capable suitors. Šarić will offer frontcourt depth behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Neither Huerter nor Šarić are worth a look outside of deeper fantasy leagues.

With the Kings acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Cavaliers, a third team was needed to make the money work with Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis heading to Cleveland. Enter Chicago, which willingly took Šarić while receiving two future second-round picks for their trouble. Šarić was out of the rotation for most of the season in Sacramento, but injuries may change that in Chicago, at least in the short term. While Nikola Vučević missed Saturday’s win over the Heat to rest, Jalen Smith has missed the last two games with a calf injury. This won’t make Šarić fantasy-relevant, but he may get the chance to contribute that wasn’t there in Sacramento. To open up a roster spot for the veteran forward/center, the Bulls are waiving Jevon Carter.

Clifford suffered a right hamstring strain and is set to be sidelined for at least four games. Clifford was filling in as a starter for Keegan Murray, who will miss at least two more weeks. Dario Saric and Dylan Cardwell are potential fill-ins in the starting unit, though neither are enticing streaming options.

The Kings will be without three frontcourt players for Wednesday’s opener, as Jones joins Keegan Murray (thumb) and Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) on the injury report. Jones misses out on the opportunity to play rotation minutes off the bench, meaning the Kings will require more of Drew Eubanks and Dario Šarić, with Dylan Cardwell potentially receiving some playing time.

Sabonis injured his hamstring during Wednesday’s exhibition against the Clippers, exiting during the fourth quarter. He has since been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain and will be evaluated in one week, meaning the Kings will be without their starting center for at least the first two games of the regular season. Drew Eubanks started Friday’s preseason finale and will likely hold onto that role, with Dario Šarić and rookie Maxime Raynaud providing depth off the bench.

Sabonis suffered a mild hamstring strain during Wednesday’s exhibition loss to the Clippers. With Keegan Murray already sidelined for four weeks, the Kings could begin the regular season down two frontcourt starters. Dario Šarić started Wednesday’s game in Murray’s place, and an absence for Sabonis could lock him in as a starter. Drew Eubanks and Maxime Raynaud would also see their playing time increase if Sabonis misses games.

In Sacramento’s first game without Keegan Murray, Saric got the starting nod. He didn’t provide much statistically, and if he remains in the starting lineup, he won’t be worth streaming. The opportunity seems good, but it’s best to leave Saric on the waiver wire.

With Jonas Valančiūnas now in Denver as part of the trade that sent Šarić to Sacramento and Trey Lyles now at Real Madrid, the Kings have an opening to fill behind starting center Domantas Sabonis. Drew Eubanks (11/3/0/1) and rookie Maxime Raynaud (2/5/4) are also competing for the opportunity, but Šarić can offer a different dimension with his three-point shooting. He made all four attempts on Friday, but the downside is that he provided no value outside of points and triples. There’s no need to draft any of the Kings competing for the backup center role in redraft leagues, although Reynaud is worth selecting in dynasty leagues.

Lyles will leave the NBA to join one of the best teams in Europe. Lyles, who spent the last four seasons in Sacramento, could return to the NBA in the future, but won’t be part of the Kings’ frontcourt depth next season. That could certainly open the door for more minutes for Maxime Raynaud, as well as veterans like Drew Eubanks and Dario Saric.