Kings Linked to Dennis Schroder, Eye First-Round Pick, and Signal Trade Flexibility Ahead of Draft

Rumors around the Sacramento Kings had been relatively quiet since the NBA Finals ended, until Tuesday evening, NBA Draft eve, when Marc Stein dropped his trade talk update on The Stein Line. Stein’s report featured several tidbits on the Kings, including that Sacramento is a top contender to sign Dennis Schroder at the start of free agency Monday.

“Schröder is expected to command a deal that could start at the full $14.1 million midlevel exception and the Kings — barring a trade that otherwise addresses their need for a playmaker — are expected to be a prime contender to try to sign the 31-year-old away from the Pistons.”

Schroder played for three teams last season – the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors (part of the Jimmy Butler deal) and Detroit Pistons. He averaged 13.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 75 total games played. He shot 40% from the field and 34% from three. In his 28 games with the Pistons (his most recent team), according to Cleaning The Glass, he was:

• In the 48th percentile in usage rate
• 19th percentile in points per shot attempt
• 58th percentile in assist percentage
• 63rd percentile is assist to usage ratio
• 90th percentile in turnover%
• 35th percentile or under in all areas of the floor shooting accuracy

On defense and rebounding, Schroder was only in a high percentile in offensive rebounding (88th percentile). In on/off differential, he was a -4.1 (32nd percentile). To be fair, his numbers in the 23 games he played with the Nets last season were better pretty much across the board (he averaged 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 3 rebounds. He was 45% from the field.) In his 23 games the Nets, in which he started in all, his usage rate also was in the 82nd percentile, which increased his points per shot attempt (82nd percentile) and assist percentage (94th percentile). Overall, he was a +12.7 in differential (97th percentile) with the Nets, proving he can still produce with higher usage.

He will be 32 when next season begins.

In term of the NBA Draft, Stein says the Kings are being aggressive about trying to get into the first round.

“The Kings, sources say, also continue to be mentioned by rival executives and agents as a team that could trade into the lower half of the first round of Wednesday night’s draft. The Kings don’t currently have a first-round pick, but as The Stein Line first reported on June 12, have been telling agents that they believe they ultimately will. Multiple teams consulted Tuesday said they believe Sacramento has held talks aimed at setting up the acquisition of the No. 24 selection from Oklahoma City.”

Here are players some of the NBA mock drafts have going 24 to the Thunder:

• Will Riley, F, Illinois
• Maxime Raynaud, F/C, Stanford
• Hugo González, F, Real Madrid (Spain)
• Jase Richardson, SG, Michigan State

Stein also connected the Miami Heat and DeMar DeRozan, and mentioned the Kings could be in play for the 21st pick:

“Sacramento has been signaling to teams that it is open to trade proposals across the roster. We’ve previously delved into the trade candidacy of DeMar DeRozan, who is believed to be a player under consideration in Miami after the Heat’s unsuccessful foray into the Kevin Durant Trade Sweepstakes. Yet it also known that the Kings are inviting offers for guards Malik Monk and Devin Carter. It might be worth filing away that Utah, league sources say, previously showed interest in Carter when the Jazz engaged the Kings on Lauri Markkanen trade concepts during the 2024 offseason. Markkanen ultimately sign a contract extension with Utah last August that delayed until it guaranteed he would not be trade-eligible during the 2024-25 season. The Jazz hold the No. 21 overall pick Wednesday night, which is right in the range of Sacramento’s presumed trade ambitions.”

Here are players being slotted at 21 in mocks:

• Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
• Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid
• Jase Richardson, SG, Michigan State, SG

Schroder is a point guard, and the Kings need a point guard. His general production and potential at this point in his career, however, leaves a lot to be desired should he be the starting point guard next season. That is unless, he is capable of producing how he did in his short stint with the Nets. If Schroder were to be your backup point guard, it would be a lot more enticing, in my opinion. Since leaving Atlanta in the 2017-18 season, he has played on eight teams – there is probably a reason for that. As far as trading into the 21st or 24th pick, it would be great if the Kings could snag some young talent when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, but it would all depend on what the trade to get the pick looks like, and then if Sacramento can actually draft an NBA player in either of those spots.

Stein basically said the Kings are open for business up and down the roster:

“Sacramento has been signaling to teams that it is open to trade proposals across the roster.”

Things could get pretty interesting and/or scary pretty quickly this week.