12 Free Agent forward options for Sacramento Kings

Free agency is set to begin Thursday, June 30 at 3 PM PST and Kings general manager Monte McNair needs to be aggressive in his approach to building out the roster. 

On Monday, we covered potential free agent guards for McNair and his staff to sift through. Now it’s time to look at a long list of forwards who might be looking for new homes later this week. 

Sacramento's current depth chart at the small forward position consists of veterans Harrison Barnes and Moe Harkless. At the four, first round pick Keegan Murray has been added to the mix. He will join Chimezie Metu, who is on a non-guaranteed one-year contract, and Trey Lyles, who a league source confirmed will have his one-year, $2.6 million team option picked up on Tuesday by the team. 

Here are twelve forwards that the Kings could potentially chase, be it through their limited cap space, $4 million bi-annual exception or the full $10.3 million non-taxpayer mid-level exemption.

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Jalen Smith - Pacers - Power Forward

2021-22 Stats: 9.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, .5 assists, 1.0 blocks, 50.3% FG, 32.8% 3-pt

Age: 22 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Mr. Smith’s wild ride is about to get more interesting. Considered a first round bust after just a year and half in the league, the rangy forward found his game in the final 22 games of the season with Indiana. After not having his third-year option picked up by the Suns, he’s in a weird spot, especially with regard to a return to Indy. He’s worth taking a risk on, but the cost has to be right. He would make a very interesting backup 4-5, especially with his ability to stretch the floor and block shots.  

TJ Warren - Pacers - Small Forward

Career Stats: 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 50.7% FG, 35.7% 3-pt

Age: 28 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Warren is one of those high-risk, high-reward players who could fit perfectly if everything went perfectly. He missed all of last season with a foot injury and played just four games during the 2020-21 season as well. He can shoot the three and is a very good natural scorer. He also had the best season of his career playing alongside Domantas Sabonis a few years back. If the money is right, why not? 

Derrick Jones Jr. - Bulls - Small Forward

2021-22 Stats: 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, .6 assists, .5 steals, 53.8% FG, 32.8% 3-pt

Age: 25 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

One of McNair’s first acts as GM of the Kings was to chase Jones Jr. in free agency back in 2020. He ended up signing with the Blazers and nothing has gone particularly well for the defensive-minded leaper since. Would McNair kick the tires on Jones Jr. again? The price has certainly come down, but he’s still young and might fit the Kings’ uptempo style well. It’s hard to imagine him landing more than a bi-annual exception and even that seems steep. 

Cody Martin - Hornets - Forward

2021-22 Stats: 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2% FG, 38.4% 3-pt

Age: 26 Contract Status: Restricted free agent

The Martin twins are extremely interesting. They play defense, stuff the stat sheet and the addition of the 3-point shot has made both of them very marketable. Cody is a restricted free agent with the Hornets, but Charlotte’s focus in free agency is on trying to retain Miles Bridges. Is there a chance the Kings could steal away a solid rotational piece at a reasonable price? 

Caleb Martin - Heat - Forward

2021-22 Stats: 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 50.7% FG, 41.3% 3-pt

Age: 26 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Like his brother, Caleb found his range from deep this season, which changes everything. Always the better scorer of the two, Caleb thrived in the Heat’s system and made a case for a solid long term deal, either in South Beach or elsewhere. This is a swiss army knife type player who can defend multiple positions and do the dirty work. The fact that Caleb’s an unrestricted free agent may make it easier to land him over his brother.

Kyle Anderson - Grizzlies - Forward

2021-22 Stats: 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 44.6% FG, 33% 3-pt

Age: 28 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Anderson doesn’t wow you with his speed or quickness, but he’s an effective player on both ends of the floor. His 3-point numbers haven’t been super consistent throughout his career, but he’s solid. Anderson is coming off a four-year, $37 million contract, but it’s hard to see him landing such a lucrative deal this time around. Memphis has plenty of free agents this summer and Ja Morant is going to take a huge jump in salary next year. Can they afford to keep everyone around? Do they already have Anderson’s replacement on the roster?

Chris Boucher - Raptors - Power Forward

2021-22 Stats: 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, .3 assists, .9 blocks, 46.4% FG, 29.7% 3-pt

Age: 29 Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

If Boucher was entering free agency last year, he would have been at the top of plenty of wish lists around the league. He can run the floor, block shots and up until this last season, he was growing into a solid 3-point shooter. Boucher spent time with Mike Brown as a rookie with the Warriors during the 2017-18 season. He would fit in Sacramento as a reserve big man with stretch potential.  

Taurean Prince - Timberwolves - Forward

2021-22 Stats: 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, .7 steals, 45.4% FG, 37.6% 3-pt

Age: 28 Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent

Prince can play both the three and the four and at 28, he should still have plenty left in the tank. A career 37 percent shooter from long range, Prince seemed underutilized the last few seasons in Minnesota. He’s coming off a massive two-year, $29 million contract, but there is no way he’ll earn anywhere near that this offseason. The Kings need depth at the three and Prince is a veteran who knows his role and might fit in well as a 3-and-D wing.

Otto Porter Jr. - Warriors - Small Forward

2021-22 Stats: 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 46.4% FG, 37.0% 3-pt

Age: 29 Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent

The gamble. After missing huge portions of three straight seasons, Porter made a nice impact for the Warriors last season as a budget veteran off the bench. His skill set has never been in question and he was even a target of the Kings during the Vlade Divac era, but his inability to stay healthy has knocked his career off course. If Porter is focused on winning rings, the Warriors will likely welcome him back. If he wants one more pay day, then joining his former defensive coach Mike Brown might make some sense on a two or three year deal. 

Danuel House Jr. - Jazz - Small Forward

2021-22 Stats: 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, .5 steals, 40.4% FG, 37.6% 3-pt

Age: 29 Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent

House isn’t a sexy name, but he’s an undervalued defender, quality 3-point shooter and he brings an edge to the court. House is also very familiar with McNair from their time together in Houston. This would be a budget signing with potential for a solid back end of the rotation player. Sacramento called when he hit the waiver wire last season and it wouldn’t be shocking to hear that they check in again this summer. 

Isaiah Roby - Thunder - Power Forward

2021-22 Stats: 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, .8 blocks, 51.4% FG, 44.4% 3-pt

Age: 24 Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent

OKC has a team option for just $1.9 million on Roby this season, but they also have a packed roster and another four draft picks rolling in the door. Maybe they pick up his option, but there is a shot they won’t or would at least consider moving him on the cheap. Roby has talent and he fits as a high level shooting big with upside. Sacramento just picked up a couple of future second round picks on draft night. Roby might be worth having over an asset.

Josh Okogie - Timberwolves - Shooting guard/Small Forward

2021-22 Stats: 2.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, .5 assists, .5 steals, 40.4% FG, 29.8% 3-pt

Age: 23 Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent

Two years ago Okogie looked like a potential long term fixture in Minny. He’s taken a step back in each of the last two years and he still hasn’t found his 3-point shot. At 23, he’s still young enough to invest some time in. He’s a physical defender and he has an edge. The Timberwolves have decided not to extend a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent searching for a home.

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