New Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry has plenty of work to do in his first offseason at the helm.
Their “core” of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis is expected to be split up via trade. Even Malik Monk and Devin Carter’s names have appeared in trade rumors.
While trading and drafting will be crucial to their teambuilding process, so will free agency. Working with the non-taxpayer mid-level expectation (roughly $14 million) this offseason, they’ll have some options.
After being traded to the Hawks as part of the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, Larry Nance Jr. had a tough season in Atlanta.
He played just 24 games over multiple stretches while battling injuries. A knee injury sidelined him in February, scheduled for re-evaluation in six weeks, but he was announced as sidelined for the season in late March.
So, heading into free agency at 32 years old, fresh off a season where he played in less than 30 percent of games, which ended with a season-ending knee injury, is probably not the most ideal time for Nance Jr.
He’s not far removed from being a productive piece, however. In 61 games played with the Pelicans in 2023-24, the 6’8 forward averaged 5.7 points, five rebounds, 1.9 assists, and one steal in 19.9 minutes a night.
Most impressively, Nance Jr. converted 41.5 percent of his 65 three-point attempts that season. While the volume isn’t stellar, he could be a rare fit that provides an interior presence and adequate spacing alongside Domantas Sabonis.
The 2025 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching this week as well, leaving the Kings with various pathways to consider and discuss.
Someone like Nance Jr. could make sense for the roster, or they could try and fill their point guard vacancy with the likes of Chris Paul, Tyus Jones, or Dennis Schroder.
Keep in mind how quickly Perry changed the Knicks roster, which then featured Carmelo Anthony, after he arrived in 2017.
A certain fit may not make sense on paper now, but projecting who will be in Sacramento moving forward seems risky.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
The NBA trade season started before the postseason’s conclusion, with Kevin Durant traded to Houston on the morning of Sunday’s game seven showdown.
Oklahoma City has been crowned champions, and now all attention shifts to Wednesday’s NBA Draft. While a few Thunder players might be busy recovering from a parade, new faces will find their first NBA homes.
Cooper Flagg is expected to go first to Dallas, with Dylan Harper widely projected next up to join Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox on the Spurs.
The third pick, owned by the 76ers, is where most expect the trades to begin.
On the Sacramento Kings’ side, under new general manager Scott Perry, they’ve not been shy about pursuing a point guard. Also, plenty of reports have stated their interest in trading in the first round.
Read More:
Kings reportedly “gauging the trade market” on Monk, Carter
What’s next for the Sacramento Kings offseason?
Although the Sacramento Kings do not own a first-round pick, they are in the process of preparing for June 25-26th’s 2025 NBA Draft.
Sacramento’s first-round pick was finally conveyed to Atlanta in what was the final ripple effect from the 2022 offseason trade that brought Kevin Huerter to the Kings.
While they won’t select in the first round, Sacramento owns the 42nd pick in the draft, meaning they will select at least one player on Day 2 (June 26th) of the draft.
Be sure to keep up on all Kings offseason news right here on Sactown Sports 1140, with live on-air coverage every Monday-Friday from 6 am to 6 pm PT.
Upcoming offseason schedule for the Sacramento Kings:
Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
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