The Sacramento Kings were eliminated by the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament. It was a disappointing season following the 2023 season, where they were the third seed in the Western Conference. Heading into the offseason, the Kings' free agency will be vital to improving their roster.

Sacramento's loss to the Pelicans was especially disappointing with the absence of Zion Williamson. New Orleans still controlled the game throughout despite being without their best player.

This loss should serve as a wake-up call for the front office, as they need to aggressively surround De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray with a better supporting cast.

With that said, let's move on to three early Kings NBA free agency targets in the 2024 offseason.

OG Anunoby

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the fourth quarter of game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Two-way forward OG Anunoby will likely decline his player option and enter free agency in the offseason. The New York Knicks are confident that they can re-sign him. However, it wouldn't hurt for the Kings to offer him a contract.

Anunoby is the perfect player for the Kings to pursue. He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and a solid third or fourth option on offense. This season, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Anunoby shot 48.9 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from deep.

Sacramento's problem is that they would likely not be able to sign Anunoby unless they worked out a sign-and-trade. They don't have the cap space like they did last offseason to go out and sign Anunoby to a big deal.

A sign-and-trade would include either Harrison Barnes or Kevin Huerter for the contracts to match. They could then include a draft pick or a young player.

While it's unlikely Anunoby would want to be in a sign-and-trade given New York's success, it's worth it for the Kings to make a push.

Derrick Jones Jr.

Another defensive forward that Sacramento should pursue is Derrick Jones Jr. has been a key contributor as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks this season. He has played well on the defensive end of the floor while being a lob threat.

The 27-year-old forward averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and one assist per game. He shot 48.3 percent from the floor and a career-high 34.3 percent from distance.

Jones Jr. is a quality forward who the Kings could benefit from having in their rotation. Adding Jones Jr., who's known for his athleticism and defense, would give Mike Brown a true forward to rely on off the bench.

Andre Drummond

The Kings also need to address their backup center spot. Trey Lyles has served his role as a small ball five, but Alex Len and JaVale McGee haven't cut as the traditional backup bigs.

Andre Drummond could fill that role as a quality backup center behind Domantas Sabonis. The 30-year-old is one of the best rebounders in basketball and will be targeted by many teams in free agency.

Drummond averaged 8.4 points and nine rebounds while shooting 55.6 percent from the field this season. These numbers are impressive, considering he was only getting 17.4 minutes per game.

If Sabonis gets in foul trouble, Drummond has the size and strength to compete against top bigs like Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. Drummond should be one of Sacramento's top targets in the offseason.

The Western Conference is fierce and will only be more competitive next season. Teams that missed the Play-In Tournament, like the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, should get better and enter the playoff push. The Memphis Grizzlies will also be better as they get healthy.

If Sacramento wants to remain competitive in the West, it will need to get better. Anunoby, Jones Jr., and Drummond should all be targets for the Kings.