Return of The Scores: Is it time for the Sacramento Kings to bring back Iman Shumpert?

The Sacramento Kings made their first move of the NBA’s special one-week transaction window Tuesday morning, signing veteran Corey Brewer for the rest of the season. Bringing Brewer back into the fold was a smart move that added veteran leadership in the form of a fan-favorite wing.

However, there might be slight disappointment among certain fans, because another wing vet is out there that was an even bigger hit in his time with Sacramento.

Iman Shumpert brought swagger, leadership and a whole bunch of new terminology to the Kings in the 2018-19 season. The Sacramento Scores won a lot of games too, so strap yourself in because we’re about to have some Purple Talk.

Shumpert remains a free agent, and while Sacramento’s roster is currently full, there are some good reasons to consider making room for him on the Kings for their return-to-play in Orlando next month.

SHUMPERT ERA IN SACRAMENTO

Shumpert’s offensive contributions for the Kings were not stunning. His 38.2 field goal percentage was actually a team-low that season, but he was effective from 3-point range, hitting 36.6 percent. He also posted a solid 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.

His defensive numbers were stronger. Shumpert logged over one steal and half a block per game. He played solid team defense and was often the hardest working man on the court. Most advanced defensive statistics had him ranked as one of the best defenders on the team.

The most impressive numbers were not Shumpert’s alone, but rather how the team performed when he was in the mix. The Kings went 24-16 with Shumpert in the starting lineup. That is pretty spectacular considering the Kings were coming off of a 27-55 season.

His best attributes were always intangible. Shumpert was universally praised for bringing a level of chemistry and passion for the game that the Kings hadn’t seen in years. When Shumpert departed, that winning mentality went with him.

LIFE AFTER THE SCORES

Shumpert has struggled since the Kings traded him to the Houston Rockets in February of 2019. His shooting numbers dropped to 34.7 percent from the field and 29.6 from the 3-point line. His steal and block rates also fell significantly. Houston let him walk in free agency.

After starting the 2019-20 season unsigned, Shumpert landed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets in November. He spent a month with the team, but his shooting numbers fell again, this time to 32.8 percent and 24.2 percent on 3-pointers. His defense, on the other hand, bounced back nicely and he showed flashes of being the stopper that he once famous for.

Meanwhile, the Kings have also struggled. They finished last season 11-17. Sacramento was one game out of the playoffs when they made the trade. They finished the year nine games behind the Clippers for the eighth seed.

This season hasn’t been much better. The Kings currently sit at 28-36, a far cry from the winning record enjoyed by The Scores. They also need serious help with wing defense, though Brewer is expected to help on that front.

A PURPLE TALK SEQUEL?

Brewer’s signing filled the last spot on Sacramento’s roster, but the Kings could still create room by waiving a player. The leading candidate for a potential sacrifice is Yogi Ferrell, who has had a down year and will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. If the team doesn’t see him as part of their future, they might as well cut ties now.

Losing Ferrell wouldn’t be too risky for the rest of the season. Though he currently provides point guard depth, Bogdan Bogdanovic could step into a ball-handler role if necessary. Even with the addition of Brewer, wing defense still feels like the biggest weakness for this team.

And just like Shumpert’s first run with the Kings, a return to Sacramento would not really be about what he brings to the court. Right now there aren’t many minutes for Shumpert. But that could be a good thing, as an over-reliance on his limited offensive skills is what many suspect broke up The Scores in the first place.

Sacramento doesn’t need someone to come in and soak up minutes. But they so need more cohesiveness, more swagger and a clear-cut identity. Signing Shumpert could bring that elusive element back. That identity could be there for the taking, if the Kings are so inclined, in the form of The Scores: Longshots.

This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 8:03 AM.