The Sacramento Kings are expected to be another NBA team restructuring its roster next season, meaning they will be among clubs looking at top free agent names. One player expected to be pitched big offers is Nikola Vucevic who is coming off a banner year with the Orlando Magic.
But before the Kings or any other team can get their hands on Vucevic, the Magic will still have the first crack. Team president Jeff Weltman made it know that they will try to keep the Montenegrin in the fold, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Seeing how he averaged 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1 steal last season, it hardly comes as a surprise. Also, Vucevic did mention as well that he will first look at what Orlando has to offer.
For the Kings, Vucevic would be a big addition after Sacramento ended its 2018-19 NBA campaign with a 39-43 win-loss mark. That was good enough for 9th place although they were far behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers. Sacramento does have a lot of young players in the fold although they may need to give up one or two to land the 28-year-old cager.
And should they be forced to give up someone, that player could be Willie Cauley-Stein. He will be a restricted free agent this summer but the Kings may have to move on and consider building on Vucevic instead, NBC Sports said. The Kings do have $35 million in cap space but will need to spend that wisely to have a competitive team next NBA season.
The Kings are the latest team linked to Vucevic. Aside from the Magic, the Dallas Mavericks were also mentioned as one of the teams expected to pitch to the 16th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. The Mavs could dangle him a five-year contract worth $140.6 million, numbers likely to be offered by other teams as well. Should they be successful, Dallas could parade a talented cast that includes Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Los Angeles Clippers are another team reportedly interested in Vucevic to help shore up their frontline. Only Montrezl Harrell is there to man the paint although he is natural power forward. Ivica Zubac, an acquisition from the Los Angeles Lakers is also around although the Croatian still needs some seasoning to mix it up with the big boys in the NBA. Vucevic not only adds beef up front, but he is also one of a few big men in the league that can hit it from down deep.
