The Sixer Sense
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Lakers and Kings Dictate 2017 NBA Draft Of Philadelphia 76ers

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (right) poses with NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum after the 76ers receive the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (right) poses with NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum after the 76ers receive the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks in the our quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 133-111. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY.
Mar 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks in the our quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 133-111. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY.

Kingside Free Agency

You cannot discuss free agency about the Sacramento Kings without acknowledging the void caused by the expiration of point guard Rajon Rondo’s contract, a player who delivered 11.9 points per game and 11.7 assists per game.

But the Kings had other free agents as well, of which only forward Caron Butler chose to remain with the team.  Leaving are forward Quincy Acy, forward James Anderson, guard Seth Curry, center/forward Eric Moreland, and traded guard Marco Belinelli to the Charlotte Hornets.

Ranking the top 10 available free agents by Golden State Warriors fit
Ranking the top 10 available free agents by Golden State Warriors fit

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    • To address the attrition, the Kings have committed to shooting guard Garrett Temple who averaged 7.3 points, 1.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game with the Washington Wizards last year in a reserve role.  The team also added shooting guard Arron Afflalo from the Brooklyn Nets, who will likely slide in as the team’s starter.

    The Kings also committed to former Detroit Pistons Anthony Tolliver.   Tolliver has traveled the NBA, and will contribute offensively, but his defense is very limited by NBA standards.

    Finally, as I finish the article, the Kings have committed to small forward Matt Barnes.  Barnes is another traveler who will contribute some offense and has been known for staunch wing defense.  But he is aging, and with age comes a loss of skills.

    The real test will be the promotion of Darren Collison to the starting point guard role.  While he can score at a decent clip, 14.0 points per game last season, his distribution is far less that that of Rondo, passing off just 4.3 assists per game.

    With the arrival of Barnes, the likelihood of the team retaining forward Rudy Gay is bleak.  Barnes is a starter, and the team will have enough to sort through without forcing a confrontation on the roster.    With a trade of Gay likely, the team still needs to address the backup role at point guard, and sort through the four shooting guards currently on the roster.

    UPDATE: Late on July 4, the Kings waived veteran Caron Butler and Duje Dukan

    With all the moves, I do not see much improvement defensively, and I expect the offense to suffer dramatically as the team tries to involve the huge influx of youth from the draft.  The  Kings finished strongly in 2015-2016 to end up with 33 wins for the year.   I cannot see them winning more than 28 games now.

    Next: Pour Me A Cold Draft