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Sacramento Kings: 5 free agents to consider in 2019

By Cannon Wonderlich

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 19: Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 19: Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on October 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

Tobias Harris: Power Forward/Small Forward (UFA) — Los Angeles Clippers

Tobias Harris has shown steady improvement in each of his eight professional seasons and is currently in the middle a career year that has people wondering if he will be a first time All-Star. He is off to one of the best starts in the stacked Western Conference, far exceeding the expectations of many.

Despite being on four teams in his short career, Harris has shown considerable improvement season after season. He is averaging a career-high 21.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

So why wouldn’t the Clippers make retaining Harris their top priority? He is one of the best forwards in the league and is in contention for a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team, so it would only make sense for them to focus on bringing him back.

Well, it is more complicated than it initially seems. The Clippers are rumored to be planning on pursuing both Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard in free agency this summer. Both Leonard and Durant are better players than Harris, and if the Clippers legitimately believe they have a chance to bring in both of them, Harris would have to be the odd man out.

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They would definitely like to keep him, as they offered Harris an $80 million extension in July 2018 that he declined. If Harris isn’t in L.A.’s future plans, they will either have to trade him off this season or let him walk for nothing in free agency.

The Kings’ young backcourt is very talented. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield make up one of the league’s best young backcourts. Bogdan Bogdanovic has returned from injury, and while he has been great, he is better suited as the team’s sixth man. This leaves a vacancy at the starting small forward position.

Harris’ play style and abilities would mesh perfectly with the Kings. His ability to spread the floor from 3 would create ample space for Fox to drive into the paint and attack the rim. Also, he would be able to relieve Fox and Hield of their scoring duties, as putting the ball in the basket is his specialty.

Since Harris has already declined an $80 million extension, it can be expected that he will be looking for a larger pay day. At this point, Harris is not worth a max contract, and if the Kings are looking to shell out that kind of money, they should look into bigger names.

Sacramento should consider offering Harris a four-year, $90 million contract if the team decides to go in that direction. If Harris is looking for more money, the Kings should focus elsewhere, but if he were to accept, they would have a fringe All-Star to pair with their young core to get the team back to regular playoff contention.

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