Point Guard Options For The Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings need a Point Guard and they need one badly. Although the Kings spent their money wisely on veterans Arron Afflalo, Anthony Tolliver, Garrett Temple, and Matt Barnes, the PG spot remains the biggest question mark of the off-season.

Rajon Rondo is off to Chicago after agreeing to a 2yr $28M deal this weekend. Despite leading the league in assists at 11.7 per game, the Kings decided to move on from Rondo after his season long defensive woes and sporadic turnover problem. Seth Curry agreed to a 2yr $6M deal with the Dallas Mavericks after Sacramento rescinded his qualifying offer to make him an unrestricted Free Agent. Curry didn't get much run time for the majority of the season, much to the dismay of fans. He averaged 6.8 PPG /1.5 APG /1.4 RPG on 45% from the 3pt line and played exceptionally well in April. Vlade may have wanted to give Curry a shot to go somewhere where he could get good minutes.

Sacramento seems to have handed the keys to Darren Collison as the starting PG, which is something I think most fans would be OK with but, with a pending court case and misdemeanor charges, Kings fans are sceptical of the PG position. Last season Collison averaged 14 PPG /4.3 APG /2 RPG on 48.6/40.1/85.8 in 30 MPG backing up Rondo. Let’s hope his legal issues are being overblown because he can be can big contributor in the 16-17 season going into the final year of his contract, which could also be another problem for the Kings.

The deals being made by the Kings are short with team options. The Kings could be trying to clear cap space for the insane 2017 Free Agent class that includes Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, and Derrick Rose among others. Those are only the point guards so, it seems Sacramento will throw the max at somebody in an attempt to make a splash next year but, in the meantime the PG spot is worrisome.

As for now, the Sacramento Kings desperately need a backup PG. The only other PG on the roster is Isaiah Cousins and there is no guarantee he makes the roster come October. The Kings currently have no cap space left after the Matt Barnes signing so, a trade will need to happen. Of course it is only July 6th and they have the rest of the summer to acquire a PG but, I think fans would feel more comfortable if the PG position was set. I think most of us expect at least one of Rudy Gay, Kosta Koufos, or Ben McLemore to be dealt.

What point guards are out there for the Kings? There are definitely some solid backup point guards left out there. Let’s take a look at the free agents. Norris Cole is coming off his best season in New Orleans after putting up 10.6 PPG /3.7 APG /3.4 RPG on 40.5% shooting in a career high 26.6 MPG. Another former champion who is a free agent is Mario Chalmers, who was released from Memphis after suffering a torn Achilles. Chalmers holds the Sleep Train Arena record with 10 threes in a game back in 2013. The Kings were said to have been interested in Donald Sloan who averaged 7 PPG & 4.4 APG in around 20 MPG with Brooklyn. Could bringing back Greivis Vasquez be an option? He has had recent injury problems so I don’t see it happening but, It’s a name to throw out there. Jarrett Jack is a realistic option who could takeover the starting position if Darren Collison is indeed suspended. Raymond Felton would be a solid backup and played well for Dallas in this year's Playoffs. A free agent I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings went after is Ty Lawson. Kings could easily get Lawson for a cheap contract after he put together the worst season of his career that featured DUI’s, rehab, two teams, and career lows in almost every statistical category. Do not be surprised if one of these guys are a King soon.

The Kings could also trade for PG. A name constantly being brought up this off-season is Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio. His game is eerily similar to former King Rajon Rondo except Rubios' defense would be a major improvement from what the Kings got last season. One big negative to Rubios' game is he has never shot over 40% in his career, which is certainly troubling. One guy the Kings should attempt to trade for is the Rockets Patrick Beverley. His numbers don't jump out at you, averaging 10 PPG /3.4 APG /3.5 RPG on 43% shooting but, he is an extraordinary defender and would bring toughness to this Kings squad that now includes Matt Barnes. Jrue Holiday would be a solid addition. The Pelicans just lost two of their top scorers in Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon and could use someone like Rudy Gay. Goran Dragic is a long shot but, if the Heat lose Wade they could look to build around Whiteside and Winslow and prepare for 2017 Free Agency. Another name brought up a lot is Brandon Knight. People are questioning whether Knight and Bledsoe can co-exist and they recently drafted Tyler Ulis. Knight would get a chance to lead the Kings and be the guy at PG. There’s a chance the Kings could also trade for a backup like a Patty Mills or Raul Neto.

There are many options for the Sacramento Kings and fans should expect GM Vlade Divac to make a move any day now.

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