After creating significant cap space by trading Richaun Holmes during the 2023 NBA Draft, Sacramento Kings rumors emerged regarding potential free agent targets. Now, it appears signing Draymond Green is a viable possibility.
Green, one of the best second-round picks in NBA history, does address some of the Kings’ shortcomings. Sacramento had issues rebounding during its playoff series against the Golden State Warriors and it needs switchable defenders. Plus, Green’s championship experience would be beneficial for a young roster.
- Draymond Green stats (2022-’23): 8.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1 SPG, 112 Defensive Rating
Even in his age-33 season, Green made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the fourth time in his career and he was an All-Star in 2022. Green’s low usage rate (13.2 percent) would also fit alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
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Speaking on the possibility of the Kings signing Green, NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained on the Hoop Collective podcast why it’s possible and how influential Brown could be.
“Mike Brown is extraordinarily close to Draymond Green — extraordinarily close. Mike Brown was the Draymond Green whisperer with the Warriors. Draymond Green is a free agent. They now have the money, if they want, to give him a premium over what he opted out of in Golden State. … The Kings can now go hunting for Draymond Green if they wish and that would be extraordinarily interesting because it is the exact — exact — type of player they need.”
Brian Windhorst on Draymond Green and the Sacramento Kings
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Brown, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, served as the Warriors’ associate head coach from 2016-’22 and had a very close relationship with Green. Sacramento has the cap space to sign him and the only other teams with $30-plus million in cap space won’t be contenders next season.
It’s important to note that this isn’t Windhorst reporting the Kings intend to pursue Green nor is he saying the four-time NBA champion will leave Golden State. However, Windhorst is one of the most astute reporters in the NBA, with his foretelling of the Utah Jazz rebuild a perfect example.
Green is an unrestricted free agent, so Sacramento wouldn’t have to be concerned with Golden State matching any offer they make. However, the Warriors would want to keep Green away from a division rival and the Kings might prefer to pursue younger free agents who are a better fit with their young core.