Kings Sign Journeyman C Plumlee, Fill Final Roster Spot

The Sacramento Kings have dealt with injuries in the frontcourt to start the season, with Maxime Raynaud suffering an injury in the preseason and Dylan Cardwell missing early time.

On Wednesday, the front office addressed the thin center room, signing veteran big man Mason Plumlee to a non-guaranteed deal.

Plumlee, a 14-year NBA veteran, spent last season with the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 20 games.

After Nique Clifford was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a roster spot opened up, with Plumlee being the eventual choice.

While it is not the flashiest signing, Plumlee is a proven professional in the league, and will provide head coach Doug Christie with a player who can fill in for spot minutes.

Across his career, the former first-round pick back in 2013 has averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 59.6% from the field.

Sacramento marks the journeyman's ninth-different team, and marks a return to California from his time with the Los Angeles Clippers (2022-2024).

Since the news of the signing, there has been some pushback, with Kings fans and analysts pointing towards the high number of minutes and lack of ball handlers behind rookie standout point guard Darius Acuff Jr.

SacTown1140's Brenden Nunes took to X to give his take, noting that Acuff is leading the league in minutes.

This is basically unheard of for a first-year player to be playing so much, and begs the question on if a backup point guard would have been more-valuable.

But, with no significant update on Raynaud's timetable for return, and Domantas Sabonis disappearing in his last game out against the Orlando Magic, the Kings' front office believes Plumlee will provide value.

Throughout his NBA career, Plumlee has carved out a role on the offensive glass, finishing around the rim and playing with high energy.

But, like most of the Kings' frontcourt defenders, he leaves something to be desired in terms of interior defense, averaging more than one block per game in just five of his 13 professional seasons.

It will be interesting to see how Christie implements Plumlee into the rotation, but a player with his level of experience should not need much time to get on track with scheme and his particular role.

Following the 7-point loss against the Magic, the Kings are back in action on Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In these two team's first matchup earlier this season, Sabonis hauled in 19 rebounds, but the team still lost the overall rebounding battle.

Perhaps Plumlee will be inserted as early as Friday's matchup to slow down the Trail Blazers' center tandem of Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan.