Sacramento Kings Look to Shake Things Up
Apr 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Keith Smart discusses a play with Kings guard Jimmer Fredette (7) in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Part Ways With Jimmer, Hayes
The Kings have been reportedly shopping Jimmer Fredette in return for another high draft pick. Marc Stein of ESPN reported early Tuesday that Indiana and Utah had interest in Fredette. Then early Wednesday, the Pacers were said to be offering Gerald Green and their first round pick.
The Kings should entertain any and all legitimate offers for Fredette, as he has not been productive in Sacramento and has not been willing to accept any other role other than point guard. Fredette could be a valuable player if he accepted a role as a reserve shooting guard.
He is determined to be a starting point guard, however, and the Kings should look to replace him with a player hungry to win and eager to accept a team- first role.
Fredette isn’t the only player the Kings should consider trading or parting ways with. Chuck Hayes is a valuable player, but has struggled to find consistent playing time. Hayes’ role is likely to diminish even further as Patrick Patterson is a far better option. With Patterson and Jason Thompson vying for the same minutes, the Kings would be smart to shop the utility big man or simply buy Hayes out of his remaining two years and approximately $12 million dollar contract.
If the Kings bought Hayes out, the remainder of his contract that would free up almost $6 million that could be used towards bringing a valuable player to Sacramento.
The Kings were approximately $4.5 million under the salary cap last season and are in position to be able to offer free agents a lucrative deal. If the Kings trade Fredette for a first round draft pick they would free up another $2.4 million. The Kings would also free up almost $7 million if they choose to let both Toney Douglas and James Johnson become unrestricted free agents.
With the $7 million from Douglas and Johnson plus the $2.4 million from Fredette, the Kings would free up almost $10 million, and would be over $14.5 million under the salary cap. This is why the potential of buying Hayes out of his contract becomes interesting.
Add another $6 million to the $14.5 million, and the Kings would have $20.5 million available, allowing them to pursue multiple free agents this summer.
The Kings could potentially pursue a combination of free agents like Igoudala and Splitter while being capable of giving both players very lucrative multi-year contract deals.