Sacramento Kings’ depth chart and available roster spots after trades and free agency
The Kings are close to finalizing their roster for the 2023-24 season after making a series of moves through the NBA draft, trades and free agency.
Sacramento parted ways with the likes of Richaun Holmes and Chimezie Metu while bringing in a number of new players, including Sasha Vezenkov, Chris Duarte, Colby Jones and Nerlens Noel. The Kings weren’t able to acquire another All-Star caliber player, but they created enough salary cap space to sign All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis to a long-term extension while improving their versatility, depth and shooting.
The Kings hope to take another step toward championship contention after making the playoffs for the first time since 2006 as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Achieving the same level of success is not a given following a 48-win season, but the Kings have reason to believe they can again challenge the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers for one of the top spots in the West.
The starting lineup will likely still feature De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray and Sabonis, but the Kings will have some intriguing new options behind them. Here’s an updated look at the team’s roster, depth chart and remaining roster spots.
Depth chart
PG — De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell
SG — Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Colby Jones
SF — Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte, Kessler Edwards
PF — Keegan Murray, Sasha Vezenkov, Trey Lyles
C — Domantas Sabonis, Nerlens Noel, Alex Len
This is a group with lots of positional versatility. Mitchell and Monk can play on or off the ball. Huerter and Duarte are capable of playing shooting guard or small forward. Edwards is a multi-positional defender. Lyles has proven he can be effective as a small-ball center. Noel and Len can provide additional size and rim protection.
Shooting
The Kings led the league in scoring (118.1 ppg) last season while setting a record for the highest offensive rating (119.4) in NBA history. They were fifth in 3-pointers made (13.8), sixth in 3-pointers attempted (37.3) and ninth in 3-point percentage (.369).
Those numbers could go up with the additions of Vezenkov and Duarte. Vezenkov, the EuroLeague MVP, shot 37.8% from 3-point range for Olympiacos last season. Duarte was a 36.9% 3-point shooter as a rookie with the Indiana Pacers before an injury plagued sophomore season.
Duarte already knows how to play the dribble-handoff game with Sabonis from their time together in Indiana. Vezenkov, who can shoot off the catch or off the dribble with a quick release, could thrive in Sacramento with more floor spacing than he ever experienced on slightly smaller courts in Europe.
Roster spots
The Kings have 14 players under standard NBA contracts and two players under two-way contracts for next season.
Teams can carry up to 15 on the regular roster with three two-way players during the regular season. That leaves Sacramento with one more roster spot and one more two-way contract to offer before the start of training camp in September.
The Kings could re-sign restricted free agent Neemias Queta on another two-way deal or give that spot to former Folsom High School star Jordan Ford, who had a stellar summer league campaign after spending last season with the G League Stockton Kings. Keeping Queta is still possible, but it might be less likely after the Kings signed Noel on Tuesday.