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Sacramento Kings: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard Ty Lawson (10) looks on from the bench in the late stages of the game against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Enlisting Lawson

With Rondo gone and Darren Collison facing domestic violence charges, the Kings’ backcourt wasn’t what you’d call stable. With a one-year contract for Ty Lawson, Sacramento is hoping the troubled point guard can help alleviate some of that concern.

After his time with the Denver Nuggets abruptly came to an end because of two DUIs, Lawson’s value around the league cratered during the 2015-16 season. The Houston Rockets gave up a handsome sum to add him to the backcourt alongside James Harden, but Lawson was soon demoted to bench duty and was bought out of his contract in March.

Lawson averaged a meager 5.8 points and 3.4 assists per game in 53 appearances for the Rockets, shooting a putrid 38.7 percent from the floor. He was picked up by the Indiana Pacers for their playoff run, but his numbers dipped even further to 4.9 points and 4.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per game.

For a player who had averaged 15.2 points and a career-high 9.6 assist per game just a season ago, Lawson’s rapid decline and prior off-court demons are hardly indicative of the kind of stability Sacramento needs right now.

If a one-year rental of Rajon Rondo didn’t work, it’s hard to see it happening for Lawson. In other words, Kangz gon’ Kangz.

Grade: C-

Next: Odds And Ends

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