Sacramento Kings Weekly: A Look at Next Year’s Roster
Under Contract
DeMarcus Cousins- He signed a four year extension that starts next season. Cousins is now the face of the franchise and is playing like an All-Star with his 20 and 10 season. The big question with Cousins is if he can shoulder the load not only on the court but off the court as well.
Carl Landry– The Kings signed Landry to a four year deal at the start of this season, so he still has three years left. This season Landry only played 18 games and he is now out for the rest of the year, so the first year of this contract was not great for Landry. Now the Kings see Landry as the power forward coming off the bench giving the Kings a scoring player. But it will be interesting to see Landry’s minutes next year with 2-3 other power forwards under contract for next season.
Jason Thompson– He signed a five year contract during the 2012 summer and still has three years left just like Landry. Thompson has started for most of the year and is averaging seven points a game along with six rebounds. So he is not playing as well as he has in the past and with Landry being injured all year the Kings will have to decide if they want to keep both players or try to trade on of them in the offseason. The reason they will need to decide is because they also have Reggie Evans on the books for next season and it is hard to believe the Kings will keep all three guys.
Derrick Williams-This is the one of the most interesting players to watch this offseason, as the Kings traded for the former number two overall pick but have not really given him the minutes to see if he can play. Williams is on the books for $6.6 million next season, you have to wonder if they will try and trade him, but he has played better off the bench at times this season. The Kings have been playing him at the three but some feel he would be better served as power forward. Now the Kings have three other power forwards, which again seems like they will try to trade Williams.
Reggie Evans- Evans was brought over in the Marcus Thornton trade but has been providing the Kings with some much needed defense and rebounding. Now as mentioned earlier the Kings already have Landry and Thompson on the roster, but Evans is only scheduled to make $1.8 million next season. Therefore, it might make more sense to keep Evans and bring him off the bench, then trade either Landry or Thompson if they can find a trade partner.
Travis Outlaw– Outlaw has not really played much this season as he only averages 14 minutes per game, and is going into the last year of his contract. Therefore, it would seem that Outlaw will not be on the roster for the whole season next year. The Kings could put him in a trade or even just flat out release him and eat the contract.
Jason Terry– Now Terry was also part of the Thornton trade, but Terry never reported to the Kings. “Supposedly” he was going to rehab in Dallas, but it seems a little weird that the Kings would not have him report and help out the younger point guards. So if his season shows anything it is that Terry will not play for the Kings next season. He will be traded or released before the season starts that seems like a for sure thing.
Ben McLemore– McLemore has been a little disappointing this season as many thought he was a steal when the Kings took him at number seven in the draft. But McLemore has not played well as he is only averaging 7.7 points on 36% shooting. Yes, he is only a rookie, but he was looked at as the answer at the two guard position. At this point it is McLemore’s job for next year, he is going to have to improve by leaps and bounds if he wants to keep the starting job.
Ray McCallum– McCallum was the Kings second round pick and seems like a lock to be the back-up point guard next season. The Kings have been given McCallum some minutes over the past few games and he is showing his ability to run the offense but also show he can be a good defender. Depending on who is the starting point guard, McCallum could get a chance to start at some point next season.