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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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Oct 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) controls the ball between Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) and guard Garrett Temple (17) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) controls the ball between Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) and guard Garrett Temple (17) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Paul Millsap, PF

2016-17 stats (with ATL):  69 GP, 18.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, .9 BPG, 2.3 TOV, 44.2 FG%, 31.1 3P%, 76.8 FT%

Admittedly, listing the Kings as a possible free agent destination for Paul Millsap is as incredibly farfetched as it sounds at first glance. But as pie in the sky as it sounds, there’s legitimate smoke regarding the Kings chasing Millsap once free agency begins.

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First, there was the report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst last week listing the Kings as a team that is apparently willing to offer a max contract to the 32-year-old, along with the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. Now, the latest on the Millsap/Kings connection comes from USA Today’s Sam Amick.

In his appearance on the Locked on Kings podcast with Jason Ross earlier this week, Amick gave some insight on the Kings’ desire to pursue Millsap as we head into free agency:

"“The prospect of how hard, if at all, the Kings go after Millsap is a major issue internally right now, I can tell you that much. They like him a lot. They feel like he could be the grown-up and help them win games, and kind of teach the young guys what it’s like to get a taste of success. But the problem is, that he’s No. 2 when it comes to power forwards on the free agent market, and if you’re the second best at your position, at any of these positions, you’re probably looking at darn near max money.”"

No matter how invested the Kings become in going after Millsap, this development has been a lot to digest for many of reasons. When it comes down to it, however, there are too many concerns that stand in the way of why the Kings should go after Millsap.

While the Louisiana native is slowly starting to enter another stage in his career, the bigger concern would be what adding a player like Millsap would do to the ongoing development of the Kings’ foundation, specifically with players like Skal Labissiere and even Willie Cauley-Stein.

Adding a player of Millsap’s experience certainly checks a big box the Kings are looking for this summer, but how much would be gained if it means some of their long-term pieces start to lag in their development?

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

The Kings may eventually not be in the running for Millsap when the dust settles, and for where they stand now and over the next couple of seasons, that may be for the best.

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