The Sacramento Kings are being identified as the leading candidate to sign veteran point guard Dennis Schroder once free agency opens, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein reported on X that Sacramento is “already being painted as a likely leading suitor” for the 31-year-old floor general. The Kings are expected to be aggressive in addressing their backcourt needs following the midseason trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.
Schroder is set to hit the open market after completing a two-year, $25.4 million deal that saw him suit up for three teams in the 2024-25 campaign.
The German guard began the season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists before being moved ahead of the trade deadline. He ended the regular season with the Detroit Pistons, contributing 10.8 points and 5.3 assists across 28 games.
In the postseason, Schroder’s production saw a noticeable uptick in efficiency. Over six playoff games with Detroit, he shot 49.1% from the field and connected on 47.6% of his three-point attempts.
The Kings finished 40-42 and were eliminated in the Western Conference play-in tournament by the Dallas Mavericks. With Fox no longer on the roster, Sacramento is in clear need of a lead ball-handler.
Jake Fischer added to the buzz, reporting that executives and agents around the league are hearing “consistent whispers” about the Kings’ optimism in acquiring a first-round pick during the latter part of Wednesday’s NBA Draft. That asset could be used to help facilitate a deal or attract free agents.
Sacramento’s core remains built around Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine. However, the lack of a true point guard was a clear void following Fox’s departure, particularly in late-game situations.
Schroder, a former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, has made postseason appearances with five different franchises and offers both playoff experience and veteran presence.
Free agency is scheduled to begin shortly after the conclusion of the NBA Draft.
