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After adding DeMar DeRozan, Kings still have work to do
Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

After adding DeMar DeRozan, Kings still have work to do

Acquiring DeMar DeRozan puts the Sacramento Kings squarely in the hunt for a top-three seed in the Western Conference. 

The ultra-cool, ultra-poised mid-range scorer brings a consistency that is bound to boost the Kings offense. He's the extra weapon Sacramento needed to pair with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, and his propensity for big moments will light up Golden 1 Center. 

But the Kings should not be done retooling. 

As currently constructed, they're good. To be more than a thrilling regular-season team that could sneak into the Western Conference Finals if all breaks right, the front office must pick up the phone a few more times.

None of these potential moves must be as flashy as the DeRozan addition, though if Sacramento plays its cards right, the moves might end up being as important.

A backup wing is the first (and maybe most glaring) hole on the roster. When DeRozan heads to the bench, the Kings don't have a wing they can turn to for consistently productive minutes. 

Acquired by the Kings in June, Jalen McDaniels appeared to be growing into a reliable two-way player in Charlotte, but he disappointed in his past two stops in Philadelphia and Toronto. Trey Lyles has shot well in his three seasons with the Kings (37.2 percent 3PT) but shouldn't be expected to provide much on-ball help for the second unit.

Outside of them, Sacramento isn't full of options at the wings. 

A team can't have enough tall, rangy scoring options. Look at what Philadelphia did this summer; it added Paul George but also brought back microwave scorer Kelly Oubre Jr. and added former Heat wing Caleb Martin. Sixers GM Daryl Morey understands how critical the modern NBA wing is to a team's success, so he made sure to overstock the Sixers' supply.

Sacramento doesn't have much cap flexibility after nabbing DeRozan, who will make more than $23 million a year with the Kings, so GM Monte McNair might have to get creative to deepen a bench that might quickly reveal itself to be the team's roadblock to contender status. 

The free-agent crop is growing thin, but there are players on the market who could slot in for backup minutes in Sacramento. 

Cedi Osman might be above Sacramento's price range, but he would fit nicely in the role. Robert Covington is just hoping for a contract from any team, and the veteran might be worth a flyer. Lonnie Walker IV has played mostly guard in his career but is worth a look as a spot-minute wing, especially with his 6-foot-10 wingspan. Jae Crowder doesn't provide the impact he once did but can still make threes and the occasional smart defensive play. 

Whatever the next (and potentially last) move ends up being for Sacramento won't break social media. But even though the team won't add another high-profile name, there's still an important role open on this Kings team that someone must fill. 

Quinn Everts

Quinn Everts is a sportswriter from Portland, Oregon, currently based in Philadelphia. None of his favorite teams have ever won a championship but he's having a good time anyway. He has covered the NBA at Yardbarker since 2023, and has also written for NBA

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