The Sacramento Kings are targeting Josh Smith as a free agent and he could be an option to sign after the team added Rajon Rondo in free agency and this comes as the Kings have flirted with a DeMarcus Cousins trade to the Lakers this offseason and they have also shopped Rudy Gay in deals for head coach George Karl.
The Kings struck out on the top names in free agency, but it appears they have a good chance to sign Smith. The team was reportedly interested in Smith when he was waived during the season from the Pistons and after joining the Rockets, he could sign with the Kings this summer. According to Marc Spears at Yahoo, the Kings "remain interested" after reported interest earlier in the summer and he could be a nice fit, as he has a relationship with Rondo.
Spears writes that Rondo and Smith were "were Oak Hill Academy teammates" and that could make for a nice combination for the Kings. The team added Marco Belinelli and Rondo this offseason and moving forward it's looking unlikely that the team trades Cousins. The Kings reportedly discussed a deal with the Lakers earlier in the offseason and while there were reports about issues between Karl and Cousins, a trade is not looking like it will happen now.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported around the draft that the Lakers and Kings discussed a "framework" for a deal with Cousins and that the Kings were shopping Rudy Gay. The team likely was shopping Gay to try and sign players like Rondo and Wes Matthews, but with Matthews going to the Mavs the team had enough space to get Rondo without making the deal. Gay could be traded down the line, but it looks like he will get the chance to stay as well.
Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings have "very strong" interest in signing Smith this offseason. Smith has had interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets are also considered an option for him to return to. The Rockets may move on after signing back Patrick Beverley and Corey Brewer, while the Kings are motivated to add another scoring option up front after getting Rondo.
The Sacramento Bee reported earlier in the week that a Cousins trade "remains on the table", but with the Lakers out of it for now, a deal could take time to develop. The Lakers are trading for Roy Hibbert and signing Brandon Bass, which likely takes them out of the running. The team discussed a deal that could have included Julius Randle and/or D'Angelo Russell, but the Lakers did not want to give up Russell, as he could be a star in the making.
The Kings have Willie Cauley-Stein and if he develops fast, the team could think about moving Cousins. The relationship between Cousins and Karl could end up being tense after Cousins was shopped this summer and it remains to be seen how they will work together. Gay comes in after averting 21 points last season with six rebounds and three assist per game and he is signed into the 2018 season. The team could consider trading Gay down the line, but heading into the middle of July it doesn't look like a deal will happen.
Check here for more on the Kings interest in Smith and the potential for a DeMarcus Cousins trade. Check here for news on Rudy Gay and if he could be traded.
