The Kings gave Anthony Tolliver a two-year, $16 million contract last summer – seemingly exchanging a higher initial salary for a smaller guarantee (just $2 million of $8 million) next season.
They’re taking advantage of that flexibility now.
James Ham of NBC Sports California:
The Sacramento Kings officially announce that they have waived Anthony Tolliver.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) June 1, 2017
Tolliver is an undersized stretch four who competes defensively but is limited by his subpar athleticism. The 32-year-old can help a team ready to win now or one looking for a veteran leader.
Sacramento sure isn’t ready to win now and isn’t as desperate for Tolliver’s locker room presence after trading DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings probably can’t use that $6 million as well in free agency. Though draft prospects might be slowly warming up to Sacramento, shedding the “basketball hell” label with veterans will be a tougher climb. The Kings’ plan in free agency the last couple years has been to overpay players – and that’s lured only some.
But Sacramento can use that newly created space to trade for overpaid veterans with sweeteners attached. That will probably provide more utility than Tolliver would have.