The Sacramento Kings entered free agency on Monday with a clear goal in mind which was to sign a new point guard.
Of course, the Kings struggled at the point guard position last season after they traded away De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at the trade deadline.
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Though Malik Monk and Keon Ellis both played well as Sacramento’s starting point guard after Fox was dealt, it was clear that the Kings needed to find a new starting point guard this offseason.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Kings set up meetings with both Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook ahead of free agency as they were both their main targets.
Later on Monday, the Kings were able to land one of their point guard targets as The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that Schroder will agree to sign with the Kings.
This is a massive move for the Kings as they were able to pry Schroder from the Detroit Pistons.
He will now likely head into next season as their new starting point guard in the lineup next to Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray, unless more changes happen this summer.
Last season, Schroder played for the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and eventually the Pistons after he was traded twice.
Dennis Schroder puts up the ball after a Pistons win.
© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In his 28 games with Detroit last season, the 31-year-old guard averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 37.8% from the field and 30.2% from three-point range.
Schroder now heads to a Kings’ team in desperate need of a new point guard and he will be a solid fit due to his playmaking skills and also his ability to score, which should be improved with Sabonis, DeRozan and LaVine generating most of the defensive attention.
Now the Kings will continue to upgrade their roster and possibly continue their pursuit of Westbrook as well as they try to bounce back next season.