NBA Free Agency: Sacramento Kings Nab Free Agents Arron Afflalo And Anthony Tolliver
The Sacramento Kings signed serviceable free-agent veterans Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver on Saturday. In acquiring the sharp-shooting pair, Sacramento addressed a need for perimeter firepower. Last season, the Kings ranked just 19th league-wide with eight made three-pointers per game. Throughout their respective careers, Afflalo and Tolliver have combined for an impressive 1,245 makes from deep.
While the Kings enticed each man with two-year agreements, Afflalo ($25 million) will net $12.5 million per season, as Tolliver ($16 Million) earns $8 Million. In terms of value congruent to this summer’s salary-cap spike, these additions must be regarded as bargain deals.
Though Sacramento struggled to a 33-49 record last season in the top-heavy Western Conference, surrounding front-court talent such as DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay with improved shooting can only bode well for the Kings moving forward. During the 2015-16 campaign the 30-year-old Arron Afflalo averaged 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and two assists on solid 44/38/84 shooting percentages. Additionally, Afflalo provided solid defensive contributions in 71 games played.
While the Knicks missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive season, Afflalo’s performance was perceived as a bright spot. The New York Knicks haven’t had much to get excited over in recent years.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical appraised the ninth-year man’s upside with the following statement.
“For the Kings, Afflalo delivers an established, mature perimeter performer assured to bring professionalism and production to the roster.”
Sacramento will mark the sixth stop along Afflalo’s professional sojourn. During 648 career games, the dependable swing man has posted marks of 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and two assists.
Tolliver’s 2015-16 averages of 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds were pedestrian; however, his 36 percent accuracy on 98-made three pointers provided decent off-season niche value for a team in need of shooting. And that is just the bill Tolliver will fit next season for a Sacramento franchise that’s been among the NBA’s worst for almost a decade.
Mired in tumult, the Sacramento Kings have missed the playoffs for 10 straight seasons. Even worse, the Kings registered a paltry 30 wins during just one season this decade.
“I think we just need to improve in all aspects of our organization. We’ve taken a lot of hits, but I do believe we’re headed in the right direction. The sad thing is it’s not as bad as people try to make it seem. Of course everybody is on the outside looking in, but we know about it on the inside. It’s getting us to that good place. We’ve hit some humps, we’ve had our mistakes, but I think we’re on the right path now.”
With the signings of Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver, the Sacramento Kings have made a step in the right direction. As free-agency 2016 has been the most unpredictable summer of them all, the Kings have completed a solid-haul by bringing in rugged defender Matt Barnes as well.
With these acquisitions, the Kings are making a case for playoff contention heading into the 2016-2017 season. If DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay remain healthy, a solid wing corps of Afflalo, Tolliver and Barnes can provide enough “three-and-D” potency to turn the Kings into a viably competitive team on any given night.
It should be interesting to see how next season unfolds for the Sacramento Kings.
[Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images]
