1. Guarantee Nemanja Bjelica
Every team needs to have a player who does a little bit of everything. For the Kings, this is Nemanja Bjelica. The 6’10” Serbian power forward has played for the franchise for two years, since signing as a free agent at the start of the 2018-19 season.
In that time Bjelica has averaged 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 25.5 minutes per game. His numbers have increased from his first season to his second season in almost every statistical category.
However, it is not just the increase in standard metrics which is impressive for Bjelica. His efficiency is right up there with some of the best. He shot the ball with a slash line of .481/.419/.821 last season, which is again slightly up on his first season with the Kings.
Bjelica’s 3-point percentage was good enough for eighth in the entire league last year. This is a really good number for a power forward. However, one of Bjelica’s negatives is he is foul prone. His 216 personal fouls was ninth most in the league last season. Fortunately this is an area which can be corrected.
Bjelica is due just $7.1 million next season, if the Kings decide to guarantee it. They also need to sign Bogdan Bogdanovic but a stretch-four who can shoot the way Bjelica can is becoming a crucial piece in today’s NBA.