Sacramento Kings: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Signing Nemanja Bjelica

The Kings had the inside track to land Nemanja Bjelica in free agency after he reneged on his agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, and closed the deal with a three-year, $20.5 million contract for the 6’10” forward formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bjelica grew up in Serbia idolizing Kings vice president and general manager Vlade Divac during his NBA playing days, and Bjelica is good friends with Kings’ second-year wing Bogdan Bogdanovic. The two of them were teammates on a pro team in Turkey, and both have played for the Serbian national team.

Last season was Bjelica’s best in the NBA so far, as the 30-year-old averaged 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Wolves while connecting on 46.1 percent of his field goals and 41.5 percent of his 3-pointers.

The Kings could certainly use the offensive boost that Bjelica can provide. Sacramento ranked last in the league in points per game (98.8) last season, they were 25th out of 30 teams in 3-pointers (9.0 per game), and 24th in field goal shooting (45.0 percent).

Every NBA team is looking to add shooters and players who fit today’s hybrid positions such as the stretch-4 spot. Bjelica brings that to the table for the Kings.

Grade: B