The Sacramento Kings ended their 16-year playoff drought this past season, hosting a playoff series for the first time in nearly two decades. Coming off a summer that helped turn this franchise around, the early Kings rumors signal an even more aggressive push this summer.
Sacramento’s offseason moves in 2022 worked out perfectly. Operating on a one-year contract, general manager Monte McNair traded for Kevin Huerter, drafted Keegan Murray and signed Malik Monk. He also hired head coach Mike Brown.
Related: Sacramento Kings free agent targets 2023
The moves worked out perfectly, with Monk averaging 19 points in the seven-game playoff series against the Golden State Warriors and Huerter shooting 40.2% from the perimeter during the regular season. It all culminated in Brown being named Coach of the Year and McNair winning NBA Executive of the Year.
As Sacramento now heads into the summer, it has an opportunity to further strengthen its rotation in a variety of ways.
Related: What was happening the last time the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs?
Let’s dive into the latest Sacramento Kings rumors for the 2023 NBA offseason.
Kings linked to Draymond Green in free agency
With Harrison Barnes entering free agency and Richaun Holmes sent to Dallas, the Kings suddenly have some additional minutes available in the frontcourt. One potential solution linked to the team includes Draymond Green, who recently declined his $27.5 million player option. With Green becoming a free agent, there’s talk of the Warriors retaining their former Defensive Player of the Year, but according to Brian Windhorst, the Kings could have interest too.
Related: Sacramento Kings considered a top suitor for Golden State Warriors All-Star
Pascal Siakam trade on the Kings’ radar
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Sacramento Kings are among the NBA teams making a push to either acquire Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Pascal Siakam or All-NBA defender OG Anunoby.
Related: Sacramento Kings exploring trade with Toronto Raptors
Sacramento traded the 24th overall pick, using it to dump Richaun Holmes’ contract and provide the franchise with more than $30 million in cap space this summer. Any potential trade with the Raptors for Anunoby or Siakam would involve multiple first-round picks and young players, such as guard Davion Mitchell. With the Western Conference getting even stronger, Sacramento is taking an aggressive approach to becoming a championship contender next season.
Sacramento making hard push to sign EuroLeague MVP
During the 2022-’23 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings sent top executives to Greece to scout EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, both watching him play and gathering information about his character and work ethic. With the NBA offseason now arriving, the Kings are reportedly determined to sign Vezenkov.
Related: Sacramento Kings facing opposition to sign Sashas Vezenkov
Sacramento acquired Vezenkov’s rights during a 2022 NBA draft-day trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Vezenkov then emerged as one of the best basketball players in Europe. Because he was already drafted in the NBA (2017), Sacramento holds his draft rights exclusively. While there is competition to sign him from Olympiacos, the 6-foot-9 forward is likely to head to the NBA and play for the Kings next season.
Kings pursuing trade for OG Anunoby
While the Kings are among the NBA teams interested in Bradley Beal, it appears like he isn’t their top target. After finishing as one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season, Sacramento reports has its eyes on Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby.
Entering his age-26 season, Anunoby is one of the best defensive wings in the NBA. He would immediately provide Sacramento with an upgrade over Harrison Barnes, allowing them to lose him in free agency. The Kings could keep Keegan Murray at the four, rolling with a lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis, Murray and Anunoby. Below, we looked at what a trade might look like the Kings and Raptors.
Washington Wizards had a massive asking price of Kings for Bradley Beal
The Kings were one of many NBA teams interested in acquiring Bradley Beal and the All-Star guard was receptive to playing in Sacramento. However, per David Aldridge of THe Athletic, Washington kept pushing to try and acquire Keegan Murray. The Kings immediately balked at the price, turning their attention to other players on the trade market.
EuroLeague MVP to begin contract talks with Sacramento
According to Jason Anderson, the Kings are expected to engage in contract talks with EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov in the coming weeks. Vezenkov went to Las Vegas last summer to meet with club officials and discuss making the switch to the NBA. However, he signed a new deal with Olympiacos that kept him under contract, while holding an opt-out after the 2022-’23 season.
Related: NBA games today
Vezenkov, who turns 28 in August, is a 6-foot-9 forward who is viewed as one of the best basketball players in Europe. Selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets, he was first traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 then his draft rights were traded to the Kings in June 2022 for the 49th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Sacramento Kings rumors: No. 24 pick on the trade block?
For the first time since 2005, the Kings have a first-round pick outside of the top 20. The last time Sacramento picked his low, they selected Francisco Garcia with the 23rd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Just 18 years later, Sacramento holds the 24th overall pick.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports listed the Kings as one of the NBA teams to keep a close eye on for a draft-pick trade. Sacramento wants to take a step forward after snapping its playoff drought and the priority is on adding win-now talent. Depending on the caliber of player the Kings would target, they might have to attach future draft picks or Davion Mitchell into a deal.
Sasha Vezenkov likely to sign with Sacramento Kings
In advance of contract talks with Vezenkov, there is a strong belief around the NBA that he heads to Sacramento. In the EuroLeague Final, Vezenkov scored 29 points in a 79-78 loss to Real Madrid in the EuroLeague Championship. While Vezenkov wouldn’t comment on his future, Kings’ general manager Monte McNair, head coach Mike Brown, assistant general manager Phil Jabour and assistant coach Jay Triano have all scouted Vezenkov in person
Related: EuroLeague MVP ‘seriously considering’ signing with Sacramento Kings
NBA insider Marc Stein spoke to a European basketball insider who said Vezenkov is “seriously considering” the transition to the NBA and some around Europe believe it’s increasingly “inevitable” that he leaves Olympiacos for the Kings.
Kings rumors: Latest on a Domantas Sabonis contract extension
The Sacramento Kings received significant criticism in 2022 for trading guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers for Domantas Sabonis. However, the deal worked out nicely for Sacramento with Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox earning All-NBA selections.
However, Sabonis is entering the final year of his contract. A three-time All-Star selection and the NBA rebounding leader in 2023, the 27-year-old is poised to become one of the top NBA free agents in 2024.
- Domantas Sabonis contract: $22 million cap hit (2023-’24), 2024 NBA free agent
In an interview with James Ham, Kings’ general manager Monte McNair said signing Sabonis to a contract extension is a priority for the franchise as they want to build around him.
“Domantas Sabonis is a huge part of what we do and we’re going to do all we can to keep him here and build around him.”
Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair on Domantas Sabonis’ future with the team
Sabonis is eligible to sign a four-year, $121 million extension with Sacramento. The Kings are expected to submit a max offer to him, leaving Sabonis with the choice of taking it or testing his value in free agency. If Sabonis accepts the offer, his $30.25 million average annual salary would make him the eighth-highest-paid center in the NBA.
Sacramento Kings draft picks 2023
- Round 1: 24th overall
- Round 2: 38th overall (via IND)
- Round 2: 54th overall
Sacramento Kings free agents 2023
Here is a rundown of the Kings’ free agents and cap space this summer.
- Harrison Barnes – Unrestricted free agent, bird rights
- Trey Lyles – Unrestricted free agent, early bird rights
- Terence Davis – Unrestricted free agent, bird rights
- Alex Len – Unrestricted free agent, early birds rights
- Chimezie Metu – Unrestricted free agent, bird rights
How much cap space do the Kings have?
The Sacramento Kings have $21.646 million in projected practical cap space, per Spotrac.com