Sacramento Kings rumors: Kings expected to make another move

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 28, 2014

Dec 15, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates with forward Rudy Gay (8) after a play against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sacramento Kings entered the 2014 offseason with one major goal – don’t let forward Rudy Gay leave in free agency. The Kings didn’t get a long-term deal done but they did convince Gay not to opt out of the final year of his contract, assuring that he will be in Sacramento for the 2014-2015 season. In December, the Kings traded swingman John Salmons, point guard Greivis Vasquez, power forward Patrick Patterson and power forward Chuck Hayes to the Toronto Raptors for Gay, center Aaron Gray and forward Quincy Acy (Gray has since signed with the Detroit Pistons while the Kings have extended their option on Acy).

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After locking down Gay for one more season, they turned their attention to finding a point guard and signed Los Angeles Clippers’ reserve Darren Collison to a three-year, $16 million deal. They then dealt Isaiah Thomas and his new, very reasonable four-year, $27 million contract to the Phoenix Suns is a sign-and-trade. Most believe the Kings aren’t finished making moves.

Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors was asked if the Kings will make another move and he believes they will.

"Sure do. They’re always looking for something. They’re perilously close to the tax, though, so unless they work a salary-clearing trade, they’re done with free agency, with the exception of camp invitees."

The Kings have been tied to Detroit Pistons’ forward Josh Smith but the Pistons haven’t liked what the Kings have to offer. If the Kings can figure something out, the Pistons would probably like to deal Smith and the three years and $40.5 million he has left on his contract. It would enable them to play Andre Drummnd and Greg Monroe together and perhaps give them the future money they’d need to pay Monroe, who is currently a restricted free agent.