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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Sacramento Kings

By Jasper Hutson

Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) walks off the court after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) walks off the court after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) moves the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) moves the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Center

The Kings lost a lot of things when they traded Cousins. The most obvious thing they lost was a big man. The team was built around his unique skillset, and it’s going to take a lot to compensate for it.

Willie Cauley-Stein emerged as the team’s starting center in the wake of the Cousins trade, and impressed by averaging 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds this side of the All-Star game. He contributed on both sides of the floor, and was instrumental in several of the team’s post-trade wins. His 29-point, 10-rebound performance against the Nuggets cemented him as a force on his team.

But they need more than one young center to buoy this roster. His compatriots don’t inspire much confidence. None of the team’s other bigs on the roster inspire championship hopes. Georgios Papagiannis is a borderline pro and spent a lot of time in the D-League this season as a result. Even though he showed some improvement during his time in the minors, it will take a lot of work to turn him into a regular contributor.

Kosta Koufos just isn’t very good. He’s bounced between five teams in his nine-year career because he’s never been impressive enough to keep around. He’s four years removed from his prime and he’s deteriorating fast. If the Kings want to make a playoff run anytime soon, they need an immediate upgrade at the position.

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