Like most teams, the Sacramento Kings are expected to fill up big voids in the roster – one of which is improving the center position. And while they do have Willy Cauley-Stein at present, it remains that Vlade Divac can further improve that position through NBA free agency. There are plenty of big men expected to be available this summer although the Kings need to find the one that fits their up-tempo style.

Among the top centers being mentioned as of late include Nikola Vucevic, DeAndre Jordan, Dewayne Dedmon and Jonas Valanciunas. There is no question that these NBA big men could help any team they end up with, having shown what they can do last season. But for the Kings, it has to be someone who can fit in with their brand of play. If not run with the team, that big man could at least protect the rim and protect the boards to kick off the Kings fastbreak machine, NBC Sports reported.

Vucevic, one of the top NBA names expected to be pursued by several teams, made it known that he will first see what the Orlando Magic have to offer. As mentioned in a previous post, one team expected to aggressively pursue him is the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, the Mavs could offer him a five-year contract worth $140.6 million – assuming they have ironed things out with Kristaps Porzingis. Like the Kings, Dallas also needs to work on the numbers game to figure out who stays and who goes next NBA season.

Dedmon and Jordan could work – satisfying that need to jumpstart the Kings running game. However, Yahoo Sports believes that this may be a short-term fix that means they are not the perfect fit for Sacramento’s middle. They need a player who is athletic and long but consistent. Cauley-Stein comes close to that although he has been inconsistent for the Kings.

Whatever they decide to do, the fact is the Kings do have $35 to 38 million to spend this NBA offseason. Should they fail to find one in the field of NBA free agents, one could be available at the 2019 NBA Draft. Seeing however that they do not select until the second round (or 40th overall), chances of them picking a good big man holds low chances. Hence, deals could happen before the NBA Draft or the free agency period. They are likely to stick with Cauley-Stein for now but will keep options open to find that right big man to play the up-tempo brand of Sacramento Kings' basketball.

Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic. Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic backs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the post during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. Getty Images/Don Juan Moore
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