Sacramento Kings: Bargain Free Agents Team Should Target

Gerald Green, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Phoenix Suns

Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard

(14) dribbles against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

If the Kings truly do wish to utilize Gay at the power forward, then they’re going to need a small forward to fill the role. While Matthews would be the best case scenario, there is a chance he signs with either the Mavs or Raptors. In that case, the Kings would be in need of a small forward.

Green is a player that comes to mind, not because he deserves to be a starter, but because he has been solid throughout his career and could provide the Kings with a solid player off the bench at the position.

Much like Bass, Green’s former team, the Suns, have put a lot of money towards new free agents. First, they signed Brandon Knight to a $70 million dollar deal, then Tyson Chandler to a $52 million dollar deal. The Suns are still in hot pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge, so they don’t have much cap room. The Sun’s lack of cap space will likely push Green out of Phoenix.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as while he did see over 20 minutes of playing time last year, he was stuck in a rotation and surely wasn’t going to see the floor often in 2015-16. With the Kings, he could fit the backup small forward role and be one of the first few players off the bench.

For his eight year career, Green has produced solid numbers, averaging 10.2 PPG, 1.2 APG, 2.5 RPG, and maybe most importantly, 1.5 three pointers made per game. The Kings have watched how important the three ball is with the Warriors winning the title, so adding a prolific shooter off the bench could be essential if the team wishes to win now.

While Green’s 6’8″ frame is much better suited for small forward, Green can potentially help at the shooting guard position as well. With the team trading away Stauskas, they will be giving much of the minutes at the two-guard to Ben McLemore. It is hard to project how he will do, as his NBA results to date are inconsistent. With the addition of Green he could not only play shooting guard behind McLemore, but also mentor the young guard. His valuable minutes, along with the mentoring role he could play would be extremely valuable to the Kings.

Green has been known for his enormous bounce on his flamboyant dunks, but he can provide much more. He can be a vital veteran bench piece on a young Kings team, for half the price.

Next: Bismack Biyombo