After spending most of his career forming into one of the league's more dominating centers, Hassan Whiteside will return to where his career began after reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Whiteside is an absolute steal for the Kings. What's more surprising is how late into free agency he remained available given the weak pool of players during this year's offseason. Whiteside produced better numbers in most cases than some of his contemporaries, which — in theory — should have resulted in him being a top priority for most teams in search of a defensive anchor.

Nonetheless, Hassan Whiteside will bring a huge boost to the frontcourt for a young Kings squad  looking to build around De'Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield going forward.

Here are a few predictions for Whiteside's homecoming season with the Kings.

3. Raises defensive rating

Kings, Hassan Whiteside
CP

Whiteside had one of his better seasons in his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished the 2019-20 season averaging 2.9 blocks per game, his highest output since the 2015-16 season with the Miami Heat. To suggest that Whiteside's age is slowing him down would be a false accusation at this point.

The Kings meanwhile struggled on the defensive front last season and could be looking for a new identity in that department coming into the new season. They finished with a 112.2 defensive rating last season which ranked 20th in the league. Those efforts won't result to much wins as it didn't last season, regardless of how polished they continue to become on offense.

With Whiteside now in the fold, the Kings defensive rating will be a top 15-force by the end of the regular season.

2. Hassan Whiteside averages a double-double

The Kings as it stands are undoubtedly in the business of developing Bagley into a perennial All-Star who can run the floor on both ends. He's coming into only his third season at the age of 21, meaning his game still has ample years to develop going forward.

While the likely option is with Bagley still remaining the starter despite the Whiteside signing, it's also possible that Whiteside see's an extended amount of minutes given his production last season. He finished last season putting up career numbers that only rank second to his 2016-17 season with the Heat, averaging 15.5 points while grabbing 13.5 rebounds per game through 30 minutes a game.

His minutes will arguably be halfed or at least cut down significantly compared to what he saw with the Trail Blazers. Still, Whiteside will average a double-double next season in the 12-point, 10-rebound range.

1. Whiteside helps Kings make the playoffs

Hassan Whiteside, Buddy Hield, De'Aaron Fox, Kings

The Kings have gotten closer each year in recent memory to sliding through the crevices of the eighth seed in order to make a playoff appearance. They haven't gotten a whiff of the postseason since 2006, which resulted in a first round exit to the Spurs.

For a franchise that just dumped a bag on Fox and recently gave Hield a big uptick in his payday, making the playoffs becomes a necessity sooner than later. If for nothing, Whiteside should be remembered for his specific duty during his time with Portland: fill a role until Jusuf Nurkic returns. He did just that, and returned to a lesser role upon Nurkic's return.

Still, thanks largely in part due to his efforts, the Trail Blazers were able to grace the playoffs after a dusty playoffs battle for the eighth seed. Hassan Whiteside will do the same for the Kings.