The Sacramento Kings may not have to look far to find a guard who fits what they need next to Darius Acuff Jr. Orlando’s Anthony Black is the name to watch, and the path to getting him could come down to the same apron pressures that are forcing teams all over the league into hard choices.
Black is heading toward restricted free agency next summer, and the Magic may have a real fight on their hands to keep him. Orlando is already projected to have only $26.4 million in first apron space next summer, and the team has $161.5 million committed to four starters. Spotrac’s Keith Smith projects Black for a four-year, $80 million extension if he remains in Orlando, a number that would only tighten the squeeze.
That’s where Sacramento enters the picture. The Kings are expected to lose Zach LaVine after his contract expires this coming offseason, and the same goes for De’Andre Hunter.
Malik Monk may not be around much longer either. So while the roster may look crowded at Black’s position right now, that won’t last.
There is some young depth in place. Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden are already part of the mix, and Emmanuel Sharp looks like a possible piece of the future too.
Sharp has shown promise as a 3-and-D guard, while Plowden has proven he belongs in an NBA rotation. Still, neither has done as much in the league yet as Black has.
Clifford might be the best internal bet, but there are questions about how steady his offense can be. He’s flashed some secondary creation and plays solid defense, but he’s already 24 and will turn 25 this season. He also doesn’t project as a player who can handle the point for long stretches, which is a big part of why Black stands out.
Black, drafted sixth overall in 2023, has grown into a dependable starter as either a lead or secondary guard. At 6-foot-6 barefoot, he has the size to defend on the perimeter, even if his wingspan is not ideal. That defensive fit is obvious for Orlando, but his offense is where the picture gets more complicated.
He shot 39% from three on four attempts per game as a rookie, then dipped to 32% and 33% over the last two seasons. Some of that can be tied to Orlando’s offensive environment, but the shooting slump matters, especially for a team that already has Jalen Suggs and just added Desmond Bane. Bane, Suggs, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner look like the group Orlando will build around, which leaves Black vulnerable to being the odd man out.
There are reasons to believe Black could look better in a different role. He started 40 games at point guard last season, mostly with Suggs out, and was much more effective in those minutes. He may be better as a secondary creator or off-guard than as a full-time point guard, even though that has been his label so far.
That matters because Acuff Jr. could handle most of the on-ball work. In that kind of setup, Black would have room to attack mismatches, get downhill, and use his athleticism in a way that plays to his strengths.
He was also more effective from the corners and on catch-and-shoot chances, hitting 35% of his catch-and-shoot threes and 36 of 91 corner attempts for 39.5%. Off the dribble, though, he struggled.
The defensive side is where Black really separates himself. He has finished with better than a 2% steal rate and block rate in each of the last two seasons, which is a remarkable number for a guard. He’s also a strong athlete who uses quickness and explosiveness to make life miserable for opposing ballhandlers.
If the Magic can’t keep him, the Kings should be ready to pounce. Sacramento could put together an offer sheet worth more than $20 million per year, and that kind of pressure would test Orlando’s ability to hold onto him.
A trade at the deadline could also make sense for both sides. Either way, Black is a player the Kings should be tracking closely the rest of the season.
In Other News...
Ben Simmons Puts The Kings In A Risky Opening Night Spot
Ben Simmons is back on an NBA roster, and the Kings are the team willing to take the first swing. Sacramento signed the former All-Star to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal reportedly worth up to $3.5 million, betting on a player who still carries obvious talent but has spent the past season away from the league while working his way back physically and, by all accounts, trying to rebuild his confidence.
The catch is right there in the contract: nothing is locked in yet, and opening night could still come with a roster decision attached. Simmons remains the kind of player who can change the conversation if he is healthy and mentally ready, which is why Richard Jeffersons assessment still matters. The upside is easy to see for Sacramento, but the uncertainty is just as real, and it leaves the Kings with a risky situation to sort out before the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Kings May Have An Unexpected Opening To Add Kris Murray
Kris Murray appears headed for free agency after Memphis waived him as the Grizzlies work to trim their roster to 15 players before the season starts. For the Kings, that creates an intriguing possibility: a chance to add a familiar young wing who could slide into a roster looking for more length, more defense and another versatile piece around the edges.
The Sacramento angle is obvious because of Keegan Murray, but the fit goes beyond family ties. Kris Murray has drawn interest for his defensive potential and his ability to do some of the connective work that teams need from the wing spots, which is why his name has surfaced alongside Ben Simmons as a possible help on that end. Whether the Kings actually move on it is still unclear, but if they want another low-usage player who can complement what they already have, this is the kind of opening that tends to get a front offices attention. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans May Need Patience With The Domantas Sabonis Situation
Domantas Sabonis has suddenly become a name to watch around Sacramento, not because anything is imminent, but because the Kings are at least being linked to the idea of moving him. He has changed agents to one with a reputation for helping navigate difficult deals, which only adds to the intrigue around a player who has been central to the franchises recent identity and one of the most important pieces on the roster.
Still, fans probably should not expect a quick resolution. Recent talk of a possible Kings-Hornets trade has been denied, and there are no confirmed discussions on the table right now. Even beyond the rumors, Saboniss contract makes this the kind of situation that may take patience and time, with a real move potentially not coming until the 2027-28 season, if it comes at all. [Read more 🡒]