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Sacramento Kings: 5 potential free agency targets in 2017

By Jordan Treske

Jan 30, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) and Sacramento Kings guard Garrett Temple (17) battle for the ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won the game 122-119. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) and Sacramento Kings guard Garrett Temple (17) battle for the ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won the game 122-119. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) shoots during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) shoots during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ersan Ilyasova, PF

2016-17 stats (with OKC/PHI/ATL):  82 GP, 13.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, .7 SPG, .3 BPG, 1.4 TOV, 43.1 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 77.8 FT%

Change has been frequent for Ersan Ilyasova in recent years. In the last two seasons alone, the Turkey native has had short stays with five different teams.

Now set to enter free agency, the 30-year-old Ilyasova is entering the mid-to-latter stages of his career. What his market will look like will surface once free agency gets underway. If no contenders look Ilyasova’s way, there’s reason for optimism regarding why the Kings would be a good landing spot for him.

While the Kings have a building block in Skal Labissiere, there’s a significant opening at the 4-spot on the Kings’ roster. Admittedly, that point may change, depending on how the Kings decide to manage Harry Giles‘ development in his rookie season.

Nevertheless, Ilyasova has had a history of playing with rebuilding teams similar to where the Kings are currently, with his (brief) experience playing for the Philadelphia 76ers last season standing as the most recent example.

With his ability to stretch the floor and rebound at a reasonable level, more so on the defensive end, Ilyasova can fill that stretch-4 role for the Kings — especially after the team’s decision to waive Anthony Tolliver. In addition to that, he still stands as a fine positional defender as he ranked first in charges drawn for last season, per NBA.com.

Whether they would ultimately flip Ilyasova for another asset could be a route the Kings could take depending on his level of form, but for now, he checks a lot of the boxes the Kings are looking for in a much needed role.

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