the Rois de Sacramento have taken yet another step to help them in what will be an extremely critical season. According to a report by Shams Charania of Athleticism, the Kings have signed free agent Kent Bazemore to a one-year contract. This will be Bazemore’s second stint with the Kings.
Free forward Kent Bazemore has agreed to a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources say @TheAthletic @Organiser.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 7, 2022
Returning in the 2019-20 season, Bazemore played 25 games for Sacramento after being acquired from Portland Trail Blazers in a trade. In those 25 games, Bazemore averaged 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 42 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three.
He provided decent production off the bench in a tough season to watch as a Kings fan. Hopefully he can replicate some of that this season, although the 23.1 minutes per game he has averaged that year will be significantly reduced.
Last season, Bazemore played on the Los Angeles Lakers and struggled with the rest of his team. He averaged a career low of 32.4% from the field while playing just 39 games. Another worst career.
Now entering his 11th year in the NBA, the 33-year-old Bazemore will take on the role of a seasoned veteran. A little like recent signing of Matthew Dellavedova, he has far more experience than the vast majority of the current Kings roster. However, one factor that makes signing Bazemore attractive is simply the fact that he once played for Sacramento.
He’s witnessed firsthand how a Sacramento season typically goes playing alongside current Kings such as De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes and Alex Len. His pre-existing chemistry with the aforementioned players and that fan base will help him buy in faster than most other free agent signings and allow him to be the locker room vet that this young core needs.
The Kings have their playmakers; Bazemore will help keep these guys in check and provide them with the knowledge that can only be gained through experience.
