Watch CBS News

5 Point Guards Sacramento Could Pursue In Free Agency

As of right now, it doesn't look as if the Sacramento Kings have a point guard on the roster who will be able to play on opening night.

The three point guards from last season all have question marks surrounding whether they will be on the team once again this season.

Darren Collison is facing legal trouble and Rajon Rondo and Seth Curry are unrestricted free agents.

There is always the possibility that Rondo and Curry could sign back with the Kings and Collison could become available by the start of the season.

However, with free agency starting on Friday, Sacramento may need to look elsewhere to fill the openings at point guard.

Here are five point guards the Kings could add during the free agency period:

1. Mike Conley

Sacramento's new head coach Dave Joerger and Conley both joined the Memphis Grizzlies organization in the 2007-08 season.

To say they are familiar with each other would be an understatement.

Throughout his career, Conley has shown to be a point guard who can do it all. He can score when he needs to, get others involved, and play solid perimeter defense.

If Joerger has any plan to play an offense similar to what he ran in Memphis, bringing in his old point guard would be a great start.

Conley and DeMarcus Cousins could run an offense together much like Conley did with Marc Gasol.

2. Ty Lawson

He's been on the Kings' radar in the past but his value at the time was too high for Sacramento.

After his disappointing season in Houston and the brief time he spent on the Indiana Pacers, the point guard's value has dropped tremendously.

If the Kings are still interested, the team could take a chance without risking a lot of money.

When Lawson was at the top of his game, he was one of the best scoring point guards in the league. His ability to speed by defenders and get to the rack was unmatched.

He's been known to have a poor attitude in the locker room, but if he plays the way he did while in Denver, the reward may be worth the risk.

3. Jeremy Lin

Throughout his career with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Charlotte Hornets, Lin has shown he can be a serviceable point guard.

Ideally, he works best as a back up point guard, but if a team needs him to start, he can do enough to help the team win.

Last season with the Hornets, Lin averaged almost 12 points per game while shooting around 34 percent from the three point line.

He works well in pick and roll situations, which could be a good fit with the big men on the Kings roster.

If the Kings can bring in another point guard to start, Lin would be an option for Sacramento to consider coming off the bench.

4. Ish Smith

Smith has been a journey man throughout his five years in the NBA, but he had the best year of his career last season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the 50 games he played with Philly, Smith averaged almost 15 points and seven assists per game.

More than likely, his numbers were inflated because he was on a 76ers team which had a very difficult time scoring the ball.

However, his play last season will earn him some money in free agency during the off-season.

Much like Lin, Smith would be ideal coming off of the bench. He would be a good backup for the Kings if they were to re-sign Rondo, or even get a guy like Conley.

5. Deron Williams

Lawson and Williams fit in the same category: both were great players at one point in their career, but their value has fallen as their skill has done the same.

Williams had a good season with the Dallas Mavericks last season averaging 14 points and six assists per game.

At this point in his career, Sacramento would need to decide whether or not they want to take a chance on a veteran player.

Just his name alone may garner him more money than he deserves.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.