Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Losing out on Zach LaVine is a blessing in disguise

By Ian Stone

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 12: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls passes against the Orlando Magic at the United Center on February 12, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 105-101. 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 Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 12: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls passes against the Orlando Magic at the United Center on February 12, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 105-101. 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 Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Why losing out on Zach LaVine will end up being a blessing in disguise for the Sacramento Kings

The Chicago Bulls matched the Sacramento Kings’ offer on restricted free agent Zach LaVine for four years, $78 million. Though Sacramento may have had genuine interest in LaVine’s scoring and slashing services, Chicago bailed them out, saving them from a potentially disastrous mistake.

The young Kings were nearly robbed of their opportunity for proper development, as they possess quite a few position-less players who could benefit from ample playing time. Duke rookies Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles seek to benefit, in addition to second-year studs De’Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Frank Mason.

Adding a big money player like LaVine is the type of move that can handicap a coach, in trying to play the best players available and not just the ones that are paid like it. You can’t pay LaVine that type of money, only to sit him for a player that is earning pennies on the dollar (in comparison) that may or may not be better.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

In regards to their financial situation, the Kings have maintained the ability to be major players in free agency after the season, as they are set to have close to $84 million in cap room.

The combined contracts of Zach Randolph, Kosta Koufos, Iman Shumpert and Garrett Temple will expire, freeing up a total of $39.4M in extra room, allowing them to make a run at one of several high profile free agents set to hit the market in 2019.

The free agent market should already be attractive enough, but could get a little more interesting as several high key stars can opt out of their current deals, including Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford.

Must Read: Why the Denver Nuggets will be one of the most interesting teams in the NBA in 2018-19

LaVine, even disregarding his lengthy injury history, might not be worth the hefty price tag. The 23-year-old UCLA product flashed major upside with Minnesota in 2016-17 season scoring 18.9 ppg, converting on nearly 46 percent of his shots, but his durability issues have limited him to 71 total games played over the last two years.

Home/Sacramento Kings