The Kings weren't done after a quick start to NBA free agency.
Sacramento agreed to a three-year, $37 million contract with guard Cory Joseph, a source confirmed to NBC Sports California's James Ham.
Confirmed, Kings have agreed to a 3-year, $37 million deal with point guard Corey Joseph. They have also removed their qualifying offer from center Willie Cauley-Stein to create the cap space, making him an unrestricted free agent. @ChrisBHaynes and @sam_amick first with news.— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) July 1, 2019
Joseph, who turns 28 in August, averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game with the Indiana Pacers last season. He played in all 82 regular-season games for the second straight campaign, but saw his field-goal percentage (41.2 percent) drop to its lowest point since his rookie season.
[RELATED: Latest NBA free agency rumors, live updates, trade chatter]
But Joseph's calling card lies on the other end of the court. Last season, Joseph ranked 11th among guards who played in at least 10 games and averaged at least 10 minutes per night in defensive rating (102.5). That should boost Sacramento, which finished in the bottom third of the NBA in defensive rating last season, and gives the team an experienced option to back up De'Aaron Fox.
Sports
Joseph's agreement makes him the third new player the Kings brought into the fold with in the first 24 hours of free agency. Sacramento also agreed to deals with big man Dewayne Dedmon and veteran wing Trevor Ariza, in addition to agreeing to a four-year contract with Harrison Barnes.
