The Kings continue to be among the most aggressive teams in the first 24 hours of the NBA’s free agency period, as Sacramento adds its fifth player to next season’s roster.
League sources tell ABC10 that the Kings have a deal in place to sign big-man Richaun Holmes to a two-year contract worth $10 million, using the team’s room mid-level extension.
Those sources spoke to ABC10 on the condition of anonymity since the contract is not yet official because of the NBA’s signing moratorium, which expires on Saturday.
News of the agreement was first reported by The Athletic.
Holmes, 25, played last season in Phoenix, was a fan favorite big-man off the Suns providing tremendous athleticism and energy. The 6-10, 235 pound forward/center posted averages of 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest, appearing in a career-high 70 games.
Nicknamed “Dunkman” Holmes is entering his fifth NBA season and will be joining a youthful Kings organization, his third team overall. He spent his first three seasons in Philadelphia after being selected by the 76ers with the 37th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Kings frontcourt now looks different from last season. Holmes joins other bigs Marvin Bagley III, Harry Giles, Nemanja Bjelica and Dewayne Dedmon, who was one of the players acquired in free agency on Sunday.
Sacramento will re-sign Harrison Barnes and also reached deals with free agent forward Trevor Ariza and guard Cory Joseph, sources say.
To make room to acquire Joseph, the Kings rescinded their qualifying offer to center Willie Cauley-Stein, making him an unrestricted free agent, according to sources. That move effectively ends his time in Sacramento.
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